Single in Southern Indiana: Keeping the Faith

By Annie Goodman

As 2015 comes to a close, it leaves me wondering whether my Prince Charming really exists.

One would think in this day and age it would be incredibly easy to find someone to share your life with, but honestly, it’s not. Having gone through Tinder and Match.com, as well as friends of friends, and still nothing, I wonder if this is God’s way of trying to tell me, “Hold on, I have someone better for you.”

I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason and am totally open to being set up, but there comes a point when I have to draw the line.

Recently, one of my good friends hounded me for weeks to go out with one of her husband’s friends, whom I knew but really didn’t think was my type. Now, with that being said, I am not attracted to just one type of guy. But with this particular guy, I thought what could it hurt; it’s just one date.

If you were to write down everything you looked for in a partner, this guy would more than likely get the gold crown: good job; beautiful home; never married and no kids, but does want both one of these days; takes you to a really good steakhouse on your first date; gives you gifts to your favorite boutique after knowing him for only a few weeks; wants to make future plans with you – which is unheard of in dating land these days – and is fun to be around. But, and it’s a big BUT, there was no physical attraction. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

I know what you are thinking: Why don’t you just try to like him that way? Believe me, I tried. I invited him to get-togethers with my friends and met up after the gym for a casual Mexican fajita dinner on multiple occasions because I, too, thought if I get to know him a little bit better than maybe, just maybe I can grow to like him as a boyfriend. But the longer this went on, I knew in my heart that I was only leading him on and lying to myself. I think Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” said it best, “Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.” That, my friends, is what I believe, which is why I had to draw the line with this fella.

When all is said and done with 2015, what are the memories that I will keep from this year? It certainly won’t be all of these dates that didn’t turn into anything more than maybe a friendship or the restaurants where we met up for drinks and/or dinner. Instead, what I will remember most is the fact that I went out of my comfort zone time and again to meet people because I know that at some point, and hopefully sometime soon, my Prince Charming will arrive on his white horse, sweep me off my feet and we will live happily ever after, or at least as happy as we set our minds to be with each other.

I am proud of myself for taking this leap of faith. Just a few years ago, I never would have imagined doing any of this. So until I find my Mr. Perfect I will continue to keep the faith – faith in love, faith in myself, faith in God, and faith that 2016 will be my year of finding love. May it be yours, too.