Simply D.L.

Singled Out

It sure would be nice to be dating considering I never was in a romantic relationship so far. And perhaps many of you can attest the pains and longing you feel in your girlfriendless or boyfriendless reality.

I’m quite surprised myself that I never had a girlfriend during high school. And in college, nope, not yet.

Was is it like to tell a beautiful girl that you love her? And what is it like to embrace her and experience the magic of a first kiss?

In the past few months, it became more depressing as I discovered that my friends and acquaintances have that significant other to hug and a good reason to ride the tunnel of love, if that ride still exists. True, I was spared of immature relationship-related drama and regrets, but it would be nice that the girl of my countless dreams to come by and take me along with her to the starry night.

It is difficult to find support of staying single in the culture of romance perpetuated by movies, books, and music. And don’t trust the media when it comes to representing love. It is like how spam and hot dogs are made. I’ll take movies for an example.

The movie people take a pound of joy and two small ounces of hardships from a dissected, analyzed romantic relationship. Then they put those ingredients in a bowl and mix in with a gallon of high fructose corn syrup. If it is an action flick or suspense, they’ll pour in gasoline or adrenaline. And if there are any comedy elements in it, add a rotten banana peel or a list of dirty jokes.

Doesn’t sound too appealing, does it? But there is one more crucial step to this. They pour all this gunk into a can and seal it. And the nerds in the marketing department design a label to wrap around the cold aluminum can. Then that’s when you see your Hollywood stars (highly preferable to be unusually attractive and famous, appealing to both genders) smiling and waving. Then ship it off to the theaters and promote the new movie with posters and theatrical trailers about it.

Sometimes, it might actually taste good. There are a few movies worthy to represent romance well. But most of them out there are canned, sappy plot lines that are nothing but subliminal messages with the purpose of brainwashing the audiences to date so that they could spend their money on valentine cards and teddy bears, granting more power and finances to the Greeting Card Company, which plans to run for presidency in 2016.

But if you’re currently single like me, wait for true love and let it grow at its own pace. And don’t consider being a single a prison sentence or forced community service.

During this season, this is the time to understand more of who you are. This is a vague subject, but the least I can advise is you to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Find out what you love to do. In other words, get to know yourself more. If you are in a relationship before you make a discovery of your identity, chances are your significant other will gradually mold you to be somebody you are not (relatives, friends, and co-workers tend to do this as well).

Sadly, people haste on the process of love without thinking, leading to break-ups and permanent divorces, which leave scars on their hearts, figuratively speaking. It is beyond worthwhile to let romance come by its own terms than to hire a cupid to do its dirty work and make the person of your affection to be forced to like you.

D.L.