Ah the plight of the late-twenty-something…
Half of your friends are cosily coupled up, the other half are planning their weddings.
Meanwhile you’re left in that awkward in-between stage where, ahead of a Saturday night, you’re flicking through your phone to see if you have any single ladies left to go on the town with.
I’ve seven weddings this year – which I thought was bad until my friend informed she has 15. Yes, 15!
Years of reading chick lit had me shaking my head at the standard heroine’s dilemma – the dread of heading off to a wedding on her own – and I never really understood it.
Until now that is.
In my early and mid-twenties, weddings were something to look forward to, not least because you were wondering about all the undiscovered eye candy that would be there.
Now though, that day is gone and you are left with a whole pile of wedding invitations and the awkward pre-wedding question: ‘So, who’s your plus one?’
My close friends are having a lot of fun trying to set me up and it genuinely is great craic, especially when your best friend gets married and you spot an eligible guy among her guests (Laura, I hope you’re reading this – sort it out!).
But for those invitations that aren’t from your closest circle, the whole things gets… well, a bit awkward.
I’ve a wedding coming up in May and so far I’ve been ‘pitied’ six times by that particular bride-to-be.
I know she’s all loved up and wants everyone to be happy (blah, blah, blah) but seriously, I’m perfectly happy the way I am and no amount of pitying looks is going to change that.
Would I like someone to give me a cuddle after a particularly crap day? Yes, of course.
Would I like to bring someone to a wedding and have the craic with them? Absolutely.
But am I willing to settle for second best in order to fulfill the expectations of all these (well-meaning but extremely patronising) brides-to-be? Hell no!
For this wedding in May, I know absolutely nobody bar the happy couple and I know them far too well to dare say no to their invitation.
Yes, it’s going to be pretty awkward rocking up to the church on my own and probably even more excruciating to sit through the drinks reception before actually meeting the people at my table.
But – and there is a but – I’m doing it because I can’t wait to see one of my friends on the happiest days of her life. I’m doing it to share in her happy day and celebrate with both of them.
I’m not doing it to be pitied or looked at strangely because I ‘really should have settled down at this stage.’
And that’s not all. I also get left out of couples’ dinners because I don’t have a man on my arm. I’m single, not dead ladies. I still enjoy nights out without a man.
As for setting me up with that lad you once called ‘a bit gross’ and ‘really boring’ – are you kidding me?!
So next time you think about your poor single friend, think of me – standing there in tears (happy tears by the way) waving you off to your life of wedded bliss with not a hint of pity in my eyes.
Even though I’m secretly glad it’s not me just yet as I can happily gallivant off to Canada tomorrow if I so wish without a care in the world.
Ladies, I appreciate the efforts, I really do. But unless your name is Laura or you have a cuddly brother who likes to give hugs on a Wednesday, thanks but no thanks.
Surely I can’t be the only one out there dealing with this sort of carry-on?!
