Another [500] Days Post

So I was watching [500] Days of Summer over the weekend. There was this part where Tom says "People don't realize this, but loneliness is underrated."

First of all, he didn't actually believe that. But moving on.

Marriage is for eternity. Singledom is not.

Today I went to borrow a laptop at work with Claire. The guy lending it to us was trying to get to know us a bit better. He knew that Claire was married but didn't know about me. So he inquired. "Are you single?" he asked. But before I could say yes he had asked "Are you married?" For some weird reason I raised my left hand in the air, flashing my naked ring finger and exclaimed "I'm single!"

Triumphant. I resounded. What the? That is so unlike the Jessica I know and love.

Let's review. There are positive aspects of being single. Here is a compilation:
1. I can hang out with who I want when I want.
2. Guy friends? Who cares! It's not awkward to hang out with my guy friends when I'm single. When you're not... it can be.
3. Girls night can be every night.
4. I don't have to think about my school/work schedule and how often I'll be able to see a certain someone.
5. My money is MY money.
6. I can go anywhere for medical school. I don't have to consult anyone. This gets to be my decision with input from Heavenly Father, and it may or may not be based on where Boyd and Hayley live.
7. No one is there to patronize me for how many pairs of shoes I own.
8. I don't have to pray out loud in front of someone.
9. I can make major decisions without needing to worry about someone else. While this goes along with #6, it also includes what apartment to live in, what my bedding looks like, where to go on vacation and what kind of car to buy.
10. I eat whatever I want for dinner, regardless of another person's food likes/dislikes.
11. I get the covers all to myself at night.
12. I have roommates! So I always have someone to sit with at church. What if I had a husband that had to sit on the stand (ward organist or something)? Lonely.
13. I don't have to share. Especially my laptop.
14. I don't have to compromise on movie watching.
15. More sleep. The end.
16. I get to bond with more people. When you're in a relationship you spend all your time bonding with that one person, which is important. But because I'm single I get to bond with lots of people!
17. No one complains about my PMS.
18. No one gets a say about my body except for me. No one comments on the extra piece of chocolate. Also, no pregnancy. Pregnancy is wonderful, but let's not kid ourselves about what it does to your body.
19. No one gets a say in my decorating ideas.
20. Independence. Isn't that what all of this comes down to? Becoming one is important. I don't deny that at all. Marriage is wonderful. Partnerships are wonderful. But I still have some things to learn about being on my own. I still depend on others a lot, for emotional support, for rides to the grocery store, for input.

So, just a few things I should keep in mind. Especially for those dark days where nothing seems like it will ever work out.