Dateless

I'm almost always the LAST person to complain about being single. I actually like it, but sometimes flying solo has its disadvantages. Examples?

When you're at dinner with your cousin and her boyfriend.
When you're stuck with your best friend and his girlfriend.
When you're at a wedding.

...ESPECIALLY when you're at a wedding!

Now, mind you, I'm still rather young. I'm not the thirty-year-old that everyone looks at with pity, wondering when she'll get married.

No. I'm a college student. A young college student at that. Still, a small cloud of awkwardness seems to loom over me sometimes.

I got an invitation to attend the wedding of a former middle school peer and a girl I knew from Pathfinders (an equivalent to a co-ed boy/girl scouts).

I hadn't seen either of them in a few years, and the wedding wasn't too far away, so I figured I'd show some support.

This was the first wedding I went to by myself. I usually would go with family members because my peers were too young to get married...at least I thought. I could talk about that another time.

I arrived and saw two good friends of mine. Of course, I sat with them. Who wants to sit alone?

The wedding came and went. People started to leave the church. My right hand met the right hands of many people, most of whom I knew.

"Nia! How are you?"

"I'm well. How are you?"

"Good. Who are you with?"

Wait. What?

Granted, some people may have been looking for my parents or sister; but I got a slight preview of what it feels like to be dateless at a wedding.

"I came by myself."

"Oh, okay. What have you been up to?"

Being the master communicator that I am, I was able to divert the attention away from my dateless-arm and have a decent conversation with acquaintances and near strangers.

It was still weird for me, though. The two friends I sat with were long gone, and I was the single among the groups. Whether it was two friends, a group of friends, relatives, a dating couple, or a married couple, I was still the loner among them.

"It was great to see you."

"Thanks! You, too. Take care."

This recurred a few times as I waited to greet the bride and groom. When that finished, people were making their way to the reception.

Now, I either had something to do, was tired, or couldn't stand being dateless anymore. It could be one, none, or all of those, but for some reason, the reception wasn't in my plans and I was eagerly anticipating my departure.

One problem.

I didn't drive myself. *face palm*

I don't remember who dropped me off or who was to pick me up, but I remember waiting around the church lobby.

Conversations were made with people I already spoke with; and, one by one, the people were dwindling away.

"Nia, you're still here?"

"Oh, I'm about to leave."

But those who asked left before I did.

I remember making calls.

"Are you coming? I'm here alone! How far away are you?"

And there, I realized another disadvantage of being dateless. There's no one to accompany you when you're waiting for your car ride.

Misery.

I swear I drank from the water fountain and went to the restroom to look in the mirror at least a dozen times. I was trying to pass the time.

When the water fountain and restroom visits got old, I decided to sit on a bench outside so I could make my way to my ride sooner than immediately.

All of sudden, another former classmate of mine showed up. He, too, was by himself. Initially, we talked kind of awkwardly, only because he and I are both naturally quiet, and we didn't speak much before. However, he and I manage to laugh and catch up.

"Do you want me to take you home?"

Oh, how badly I wanted to say yes. He's not my taste, but he'd gotten a lot cuter since the last time I saw him.

"That's okay. My ride should be here any minute now. Thanks so much."

"No problem. It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise."

We hugged and said our goodbyes. He doesn't know it, but for a while, he filled in for and took over the responsibilities of the date I didn't have.

Shortly after he drove away, my ride arrived.

"Thank God," I murmured as I made my way with a quickness.

Now, I know that wasn't a big deal because, like I said, I'm still rather young. But regardless of my age, I need a companion. I don't need a boyfriend or anything. I'm not necessarily looking for Mr. Right, but I'm sure as heck bringing a friend next time. I'm never, ever going to a wedding by myself again.

Never again.

Follow me on Instagram @NiaDevereux.