A few weeks ago I was sitting in a hot tub in my friend's backyard surrounded by my friends. They all got to talking about how they can't wait to get engaged and get married. They're all currently in serious relationships so for them, these dreams are only a few years away. I sat there quietly wondering why in the world they would want to do that. When I said I didn't want to get married that young they all glanced at me weird. We all broke out into laughter afterwards because "Of course I don't. I'm not even in a relationship." While the comment is true, it's been floating around in my head since then. I can't help but think that even if I was in a relationship right now I still don't see myself getting married at the ages my friends want too.

Being single is my choice. There have been boys who have liked me whom I also liked, however, I do not want a relationship. Friendships, though? Heck yeah! For nine months I'm away from my home, my family, my friends and everything I grew up knowing. Being at school is a whole different world for me. There are new people, places and anything else you might think of. It's a journey for me. One that I hope shapes the person I am currently and the person I will grow to be. That's why I choose to be single. I need to discover who I am and who I want to be before I decide I want to be with someone. I've come to have really great platonic relationships with people. I know these people will stand beside me for the rest of my life, despite what life throws at us. These people support me and lift me higher. They are helping me on my journey, but they are not trying to lead me down a certain path.

I've known what I wanted to do with my life for a very long time. I love being able to go to the school of my dreams studying what I'm passionate about. Realistically speaking, though, college students are still struggling to find jobs. I want to be able to support my own self before I even think about perhaps depending on someone else. Maybe it's my pride. Maybe I've come to enjoy my independence a little too much. Maybe I want to excel in my career firsthand.

Being single isn't a bad thing. Maybe I'll decide I want to be single for the rest of my life. Maybe I'll have the grandest wedding of all time. Maybe I'll end up falling in love today and change everything that I ever thought. Who knows what God has in store for me? Right now, I'm on my own and more than content with that. I've come to the conclusion that my friends were wrong. Sure, I don't have a significant other but I'm not single. I have surrounded myself with people who only add sunshine and happiness to my life. I am surrounded by love. Being loved, that's what it's all about, right?