Single on Valentine’s Day

As Single Awareness Day (SAD) is on everybody’s minds, I think it’s appropriate to reflect on the benefits of being single. I don’t need to be bitter today, I should enjoy StCupid Day. So, off the top of my head, here are some reasons that I’m happy to be single:

1. Freedom.
2. A meal for one costs remarkably less than a meal for two.
3. When planning for one it really is “whatever you want, honey.”
4. And sex for one, well, I’ll shutup now…
5. I haven’t had an emotionally draining argument in how long?
6. If I meet someone that’s great, I’m available.
7. If I meet someone that’s hot, I’m available.
8. If I meet someone that’s female, I’m available.
9. Sleep.
10. Sanity.

No really though, this is the nineteenth year in a row that I’m single on V-Day (rhymes with D-Day, coincidence?). So of course I intend to spend it with the guys, bitching and moaning about women. But what is it that’s wrong with us? We’re good people. We have good intentions. Okay, I’ll admit that we have flaws. And I certainly do have my share. This past year there have been relationships that ended and relationships that I screwed up in starting. So (semi-)seriously, what have I done wrong? Pay attention to this list, cause you may be making the same mistakes. Here are some flaws in my (attempts at?) relationships:

1. Diving in (without looking down).
2. When they say they’ve got baggage, they do.
3. And now I do.
4. Too much time in the beginning; you don’t really know them.
5. Introducing them to your roommate… (maybe I’ll be invited to the wedding?).
6. Pressure.
7. Making it too easy.
8. Not knowing where her family was at the time…(now you know what that poem was about…)
9. Talking about other girls.
10. Jealousy.

So I’ve fucked up. But no, it’s not all my fault. Obviously relationships are about finding a balance: between friendship and passion, time and too much time, exclusivity and inclusivity (both with friends and hobbies), dependence and independence, planning the future and living in the present, etc… And both people play an important role in achieving that stasis. I just haven’t found a person that’ll balance me like that, and hopefully add and complement my needs, wants, and idiosyncracies. And I’m not going to meet her today. Not on Valentine’s Day. Today I’m well-aware of my singleness, and perfectly content.