Perpetually single and content

I've been asked if I'm dating or dated someone recently since I was in middle school, but this year more than any other year, my record clean of exes is an anomaly. The best reaction to my stating that I hadn't ever dated anyone was a girl looking me down and exclaiming, "But you're slender!"

At this point in my life, I consistently have to explain why I've never had a boyfriend. Or a girlfriend, because that's a frequent follow-up question. But having watched many dysfunctional relationships develop and end, I wonder why I'm the one explaining.

I've never hesitated before enjoying a life experience due to a single person. I've never had to change my plans because my boyfriend was jealous. I've never popped anyone's zits but my own. I've never lost a friend by trying to date him and having it go sour. I've never really cried over a boy.

I've watched people put up with a lot of crap and listened to them talk about how awful their significant others are, then slobber all over each other the next time they're together. They're angry or hurt more often than not. In a recent conversation about my perpetual singleness, a friend said that I needed to experience bad relationships so that when I was in a good one I could really appreciate it.

I've been on dates and "talked" to guys-- proof that I'm not asexual-- but I don't need to waste time and energy on someone that I won't be able to speak to or about after a falling out to notice how great the good is. I can notice people's destructive flaws at an arm's length. And when I'm bouncing around to different places, I'm able to do it because I know that my family and closest friends will be there even if I forgot to call them back a few times.

I do hope one day I will meet someone that I care enough about that missing daily life with him would make me rethink embarking on an adventure. But if I don't, it won't be the end of the world, it seems there's so much good to experience in life beyond a significant other. If I'm wrong about that, if a deep romantic relationship really is the best life has to offer, I hope I don't find that out until many years from now. Ignorant bliss is treating me well.