I don't remember asking you a g*#damn thing...

Today is my 32nd birthday and as I reflect over the past year, I'm realizing, it's been a doozy. In many ways, the older I get, the younger I act. It's clearly some form of rebellion from having spent my 20's being a responsible, house-wife type. People have always told me your 30's are fantastic. It's when you finally feel comfortable with yourself; you're entering your prime etc. So far, I would have to say everything I've heard is correct. If year 32 is anything like year 31, I could probably die a happy person by year 33. (Though I sure hope I don't) Lately, however, some of my friends have been feeling pressure from family, friends and douche-bag strangers who seem to think giving unsolicited opinions to someone they barely know, about how sad and lonely they must be because they aren't married, is perfectly okay. My good friend just turned 28 and is regularly hearing things like "You're not getting any younger, you know" and "You'd better hurry up and find someone before all the good ones are taken". First of all...not only is she an amazing catch, she's freaking 28 years old!! Are you kidding me? Last time I checked, it was no longer 1955 and getting married and having 5 kids before your 21st birthday was no longer normal, necessary or expected. (Unless you're Morman or you own a farm) Secondly, I'm a firm believer in good things coming to those who wait. The way I see it, my gals and I are at the age where a lot of good guys' "starter marriages" are going to start hitting the skids. We just have to be patient, ride the wave and be ready to pounce once the divorce papers are signed. Unless they are all emotionally scarred and saddled with big alimony payments and a brood of kids. I hear step-children can be a real bitch... As far as I'm concerned, I will settle down someday when I know it's right, but until then, I refuse to simply settle. I would also lose a little respect for anyone I thought was settling for less than what they want/need/desire/deserve, simply because of outside pressures/influences. Plus, I tend to think the people who throw out those passive-aggressive little nuggets of "wisdom" about needing to find someone by a certain age, or having babies "before you dry up" (one of my least favorite expressions of all time) are the very people who are in boring, mundane and possibly, loveless, sexless, passionless relationships and are just trying to get everyone else paired off so they have more couples to invite over for game night. My "Mr. Right" will arrive when I am ready and willing to accept him--not a moment sooner--and I will have babies if and when I am damn good and ready. Until then, you can find me, margarita-in-hand, dancing the night away with all of my "Ms. Rights" and enjoying every second of my single, wonderful 32-year old life.