As a college student, I see couples dating much more seriously than in high school (obviously). We are actual adults now, and everyone is seeking their soulmate. The search for "the one and only" is a priority. We are all young adults with different goals, the most common goal being to get married and have children one day. Whether you want this in the next two years or the next ten years, you want it. So when people hear me say, "At this point in my life, I do not see myself ever getting married," they gasp in shock...in horror. I always get the same responses: "That's so sad!", "Why in the world would you want to be single?", "Oh, you will change your mind!"...

But to me, it is not sad at all. It is ambitious.

I strive to work in a field that involves traveling, change, and a tight schedule. It would not be fair to myself, my husband, or my kids if I rushed into the family lifestyle because it is what is "normal". I want to see as much of the world as possible and experience as much as I possibly can. I want to grow as an individual, and I feel as if I am called to do something bigger than to have a family for myself. To me, I do not want to limit "family" to my husband and kids. I want to make a change in the world that involves love in all shapes, sizes, and relationships. I may not ever marry a man, but it is because I want to be married to the life I live.

I want to commit myself to my surroundings. I want to meet as many people as possible. I want my free spirit to touch every soul that I can. I see my future as too vast of an idea to narrow it down to expectations. So instead of having that one goal that involves me and a few other people, I like to have many goals that involve the whole world. I am committed to living.

Because of this, it does not mean I will limit myself to be single for all eternity. If the love of my life stumbles across me and I am thrown into an unexpected direction, I am totally okay with that. I am open to all options and pathways that life takes me, but I do know that my priorities may not be the same as everyone else's. My priority isn't a happily ever after with a man. It is a happily ever after with my life. And I do not think that is sad. I think it is far from that.