There seems to be something romantic about being in a relationship in the winter.
I added the word seems because I’m honestly not really sure, as I’ve never been a part of that experience. But to me, it seems as though it would be lovely.
A couple of days ago I woke up to a world of white and I doodled pictures in my sketchbook of a bunch of random adventures I would take if I was in a relationship (saying that aloud feels a little bit embarrassing.)
I’d go to the beach and take pictures of the frozen waves. I’d drink late-night coffee and walk around downtown Holland to look at the ice sculptures. I’d flip open my Bible to a book that I can’t even pronounce and read a couple passages to try to interpret the message. Then I’d sing along (poorly) with my car radio, park somewhere, and stroll down the beach to watch the sunset fall sweetly beneath the waves.
Then, I realized this includes only the things that I want to do.
…And I already do all of that stuff by myself. My perspective took a 360 degree turnaround.
For me, it wasn’t about having a boy around – it was about the “fun” factor of having someone else ask me to do the stuff I already want to do. For all that I know, my (future) boyfriend might sing well when I turn on the radio. Or he doesn’t like coffee. Or he doesn’t like strolling through the sand and would much rather like walking on the sidewalk. (I at least hope he likes coffee.)
It hit me: it doesn’t take another person for me to do the things I already love to do – I can just do them.
After realizing this, I now take an extra moment to invite myself to go be awesome. To psych up about the fact that I love so many things. I say, “Hey Soph, want to go drink coffee? Want to go study on the second floor of the library?” And each time, I say, “yes.”
Relationships are about sacrifice, and one day, when I find the right person, I’ll have it figured out. I’ll skip the coffee and go to an ice cream shop for the afternoon if that’s what he wants to do. I’ll walk down a path instead of blazing my own trail. But for now, while I’m single, I’m taking the opportunity to have fun and do the things that I love with the person I know best: me.
Questions? Comments? Want a list of fun things to do when you’re single in college? Tweet at me @hopesophie17. Or, send me an email at sophie.guetzko@hope.edu.