"Morgan, do you have a boyfriend yet, did you meet that special someone?" These questions are guaranteed to be asked whenever I see a family friend, co-worker, or basically any person who somehow knows my family. Even when I worked with young children last year, I was constantly asked if I had a boyfriend. The short answer...no. I haven't been in a relationship for a long time, and it's taken some time but I am not ashamed by that answer.

I'm like many girls, I love romantic comedies and pretty much any love story you throw my way. However, those movies and books are unrealistic for the most part. We aren't all going to have our own "Noah" (thanks Nicholas Sparks) Not everything is a "happy ever after", in fact most of the time the challenges are what makes life interesting. But anyways because of the books and movies that are out there, we think that it's easy to find Mr. Perfect, but life isn't a movie where in a day or two we have completely fallen in love.

In today's society, many try to make relationships the "priority" in women's lives. I'm here to say enough is enough. It's getting frustrating to hear people say, "Well she hasn't had a boyfriend in a long time." Women are not to be judged solely on their relationships, we are independent women who want to make our own path and be noticed for more than having a boyfriend.

Now, I don't want it to sound like I'm bashing all those who have a boyfriend or significant other. I completely love and respect those that have significant others. It's the people who make such a big deal out of having or not having an S.O. The people that think they have the right to judge or make fun of someone because they aren't in a relationship. In middle and high school, everywhere I looked there were couples. I thought that there was something wrong with me not dating someone. It wasn't just me either, friends agreed that they felt the same way.

It took some wise words from my dad for me to really understand why being single is okay. He told me that it was fine I was single, that it gives me time to focus on myself and my goals. He is absolutely right. I should be able to focus on myself right now. I'm 20, in college, and trying to pursue a career that I am passionate about. I have the right to focus on finding myself and improving myself to meet my goals and aspirations.

So please, if you feel bad about yourself because you don't have a significant other, don't be. You will find that perfect someone, I promise. But in the mean time, focus on yourself and what you want to do. Travel, explore, try new things, the world is open to you. And when the time is right, you will find the person you are meant to be with.