When There Is No "Plus One"...

Weddings. God knows we either love them or hate them. There really is no in between.

I happen to be of the party that loves weddings. I love the vows, the dress, the decked-out venues and the food (and booze, of course)

Tonight, one of my very dearest friends reaffirmed her vows to her husband. They married about three years ago in a justice of the peace ceremony, just before he was shipped back out to sea (he's in the Navy), so today was their official ceremony, with the vows, the lovely white dress and the whole shebang. It was lovely, and I had a wonderful time.

But as I was sitting there, nursing my 4th (or was it my 5th) glass of Merlot, I started thinking about weddings, and people, and how they effect people. I watched as the photographer snapped pictures of my mother and father (the whole family is close friends with the bride), and pictures of my sister and her boyfriend/almost fiance... but not me. And then I started thinking- why is it that our society only celebrates couples? What about the rest of us singletons, left out of wedding photos because we don't share the same space with someone else?

Is it wrong to be single? Is it a crime? Or worse, is it (gasp) unnatural?

I would say no, but I seem to be in the minority here, and truthfully, I say no because it's all that I know. I haven't been in a "relationship" since high school. And that was many moons ago. Does that make me an outcast? Well, sometimes it feels like it- in a world catering to two, what do you do without a "plus one"?

Oh sure, there are plenty of articles (thanks Cosmo) that say being single is the bomb dot com and that we single gals should have the time of our lives and not think about Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now. But how is that possible, when single people are always an afterthought? Are there any tables for one? Why not just address my invites to Heather N instead of Heather N and Guest. There IS no "Guest", so why must you rub that in? (Oh shut up etiquette fiends, I'm well aware of "invitation etiquette")

It's a world gone mad for couples. Sometimes I'm glad I'm not part of an "Us." But it seems as if it would be frightfully easier if I was part of a "plus one". Then I wouldn't get weird looks when I say, "No, just one. It's just me. I'll sit at the bar, then."

Singly yours,
Nay