Friday, May 16, 2008

This Is Why I'm Still Single

Well, it's not THE reason, but it is one of them. Anyways, here goes...

In my church, the singletons are separated into Young Single Adults (YSAs ages 18-30) and Single Adults (ages 31-death...who I like to refer to Older Single Adults). YSA wards and activities and dating, etc...can all be a really fun experience...and it was for me. But then I turned 31. No, noone told me to leave. No, I didn't get kicked out. I could've hung around for as long as I wanted and nobody would have thought twice about it. The plain and simple fact was that the only thing that was happening for me in a YSA ward was that I was getting older and everyone else around me was getting younger. It just wasn't the place for me anymore.

Now, I do not regret my decision to join a family ward and live out my years as the token single sister until I find Mr. Just Right (not Mr. Perfect, but someone who is just right for me). I am completely content in this stage of my life. However, there just so happens to be a handful of older single adults in my ward. And they try so so so hard (bless their hearts) to include me and fellowship me into older singleness. Conveniently enough for me, I always have a really good excuse on hand. The responses I get when I give my plausible, handy, sincere excuses are varied. Most of the time it's a look of complete and utter shock. They cannot fathom why on earth I don't want to come hang out with people that are old enough to be my parents and at the same time are contemplating asking me out on a date.
Most of the activities the older singles have are pretty normal. Potlucks, dinners, conferences, etc. I got an e-mail today though about an activity that I just stared at and thought, "H-E-double hockey sticks no! I wouldn't attend that event in a hundred years! They have GOT to be kidding...this is goin' in the blog." And here is the actual message of the e-mail I got:

"Yes, 'Prom' ... our theme for June is to reinact our high school Prom with music of the 60s and 70s, cocktail attire so wear your high-heeled sneakers! 'Ladies Nite' meaning the men must dance with any woman who asks. Men are expected to dance with all the ladies without being asked, nevertheless. Talk it up!"

9 comments:

Erica said...

Wanna form an ...alternative singles society if you get my drift when I join you in the future? heehee

Emily Anne said...

Umm... That is the WORST idea ever. Whoever thought that was clever needs to have their head examined. I did not enjoy my prom and would never want to relive it. In so glad you are sensible enough to not go.

R Matthew Ware said...

I thought you liked old people.

But it wouldn't really be reliving your prom, it would be more like reliving your father or grandfather's prom.

But yeah, sometimes I question how the church runs the single stuff. But then, I don't have any grand ideas either.

My word verification is optegi, dating someone your grandfather's age.

Amber said...

yuck! and double yuck! besides, did anyone really enjoy their prom the first time?? who would want to re-live that awkward experience?

WhiteEyebrows said...

wow... "our high school days of the 60's and 70's..."

I didn't know this was how the 50-somethings rolled... crazy.

Melissa said...

WOW! Have fun with that?!? Maybe you could borrow that dress Drew Barrymore is wearing in that picture, its...uh, nice!

Maigen said...

Oh geez.
& How nice of you to call them "older single adults." I call them "old single adults," and that's about to be me.

Alison said...

I'm sorry, but WHAT-THE-HELL?!?!?!?!

Tamara said...

I would comment but Allison took the words right out of my mouth...quite literally.

(although, if you decide to go, i hear ben might be free, and you might get a yellow rose corsage out of the deal...:) )