"Who's the Lucky Man?"

Every time I go home from college, I get the age-old question, "So, any boys we should know about?"

I get this question from family members, friends, people at church, etc... etc... and every time the answer has been, "No!" (Sometimes I really want to say, "Yes!" to see what their reaction is!)

I mean, I could tell them all about some of my friends who are boys, but I know that that's not what they are looking for. Also, are they really the person I would be talking to about this? Hmmm....

My question is: Why is it so important for a young woman to be in a relationship? Why does it matter if there is a guy in her life in THAT way?

I've only ever dated one guy, and I'm glad I got that experience in high school, and I'm lucky enough to still be friends with him. But being in college, I haven't really had an interest in dating (It doesn't help that PLU is 63% female...).

College has pushed me to think more about my academics, my friendships, my values, and my life-goals. Essentially, it has pushed me to question my vocation and what I really am meant to do with my life and what I want out of life.

The answer: I'm not completely sure yet, and that's ok! But there's no guarantee a guy is going to help me figure that out.

I am very happy being single. I don't have to worry about the drama of a relationship and balancing my time between school, work, my friends, and a boyfriend.

I know that I will date someday and I know I eventually want to get married, but I have so much that I want to do before that day comes.

I want to travel the world and meet new people.

I want to know that I can successfully provide for myself.

I want to figure out how to adult correctly (although does anyone ever really figure out how to do that?)

I guess it just bugs me when I am asked over and over again whether or not I have a boyfriend, as if a girl's happiness or self-worth is dependent on that.

I am perfectly fine with who I am right now- single, with no man in the picture- and I know that I really do not need a relationship to define me.

I know that people can still do all of this in a relationship, it just is not the path for me right now, and I wonder why there has to be a social stigma about young adults having a significant other in order to be happy and live a "fulfilling life."