Should I be troubled by the fact that I am alone and almost 37 years old? I had a conversation today with someone and they said to me that they wouldn’t know what to do if they didn’t have a man in their life…that they needed a body in the bed next to them.

OK…I must be something else because I would like to have a warm body next to mine, but need one? No. Would I like to cuddle with someone on the couch and watch a movie? Sure…but need? No. Has my life ended because I don’t have a man in my life? Not quite. I used to think, after my divorce, that I was going to turn into an old hag who latched onto her son as her only source of social life…and for a moment, I did. But it was my ex-husband who stopped that. Yes, my ex-husband. He is the one who told me to get out and enjoy my life and that my son couldn’t fill that space for me. Of course, at that time I ignored him, because who in the hell wants to admit that their ex-husband is actually making some sense? But as I continue on in my life, my mind gets clearer and I realize that my son is getting older and he has to live his own life, has to become his own person. I am his mother, not his friend, not his homie, not his partner. My son does often serve as my dining out partner, but when I need to get some time with some adults, I do. And I find myself nowadays craving some adult attention. So lately, I have started to go and spend time with my friends and do 36-year-old things.

Back to the man thing. There are times when I miss having someone here to rub my shoulders and kiss me on my neck, among other things. I patiently await my turn, though. I am not into fulfilling that space with any temporary fill-in. I want someone who is going to treat me like I deserve to be treated. I have been listening to Steve Harvey (of all people) who has stated lately that women need to have standards and requirements of how they want to be treated. I am that woman. I know what I want and do not want and won’t settle for anything less. If I know you are going to deliver less, I won’t even bother. At even the slightest inclination, I’m out. I know that sounds a little hard-ass, but there are too many games to be played, and I simply don’t have the time or patience. Nor do I have the temperament to deal with bullshit. So I’ll wait…I know it’s coming.