U.S.: Engagements and Marriage

It seems that lately each time I log into Facebook I see that another one of my friends has either gotten engaged or married. My girl friends are changing their last names and sometimes I have to stop and remind myself who they are because I do not recognize them by their new name. This is a new phase of life we are entering into, and it is all exciting and unsettling at the same time. Exciting for obvious reasons; love is something to get excited about. Unsettling for other reasons. Some bachelorettes are impatiently waiting for Mr. Right to come along and will declare themselves unhappy until he does. On the other hand, there are those of us who declare ourselves perfectly content with life as it is - we are single, free, ready for adventures, and absolutely freaked out by the idea of tying the knot with somebody. Forever.

One of my good friends from high school got married this weekend, and I am sincerely happy for her. Marriage can be beautiful; however, marriage and I are not seeing eye to eye at this moment. Maybe in a few years, maybe in more than a few years, or maybe never. I mean, I still have to pass the first step with the whole finding a groom thing. It's just not a priority right now. 

What are my priorities, then? Exploring the world. Learning from diverse groups of people. Finding something to do with my life that energizes me while working towards the common good of others. Being happy with what I have. Helping others to be happy with what they have.

On that note, I would like to wish all the best to both those of you with significant others as well as to all of my fellow free birds. Love and peace to everyone.