Tonight I attended my first grown up "Meeting" with the church ladies.
We had potluck soups and rolls.
I was asked for my recipe for butternut squash soup several times. (I'll have to invent one because I don't really cook by recipe; it just happens in a pot or pan and just happens to be delicious. I don't know how I do it! I think I have a sixth sense for delicious! Can I tell you a secret? This was only the second time I have ever made butternut squash soup. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it -- I was seriously thinking I'd be taking home a full crock pot of the stuff because it sort of looks like something a baby produced...)
We chatted.
Conversation turned to birth stories and baby hunger and epidural.
We tied quilts.
I'm pretty sure I was the only unmarried lady there.
In other news: I have a new term on my "rent" to live at home because I can't afford to live like a starving college kid anymore. I have to go on dates. I must prove that I do intend to get married some day and produce progeny for the parentals to spoil and corrupt. That means putting my social agenda in a higher priority bracket. It is currently hiding out under some dust bunnies at the back of my closet. Oh dear.
My parents think I am a loser old maid destined to clean other people's heavenly mansions because I certainly won't be qualifying for my own. What a downer! For some reason, they put me at the same level of social awkwardness as my older brother -- probably lower -- because he has at least managed to convince a member of the opposite sex to date him for an extended period of time.
I talk to people!
I engage them in meaningful and/or lighthearted conversations!
I recently became a master of how to break the touch barrier without being weird about it!
Just last week I finally figured out how flirting works! That is...I think I did. I wasn't talking to a guy or anything, in fact, I was pontificating on the matter in the recesses of my brain during down time at the clinic where I shadow doctors who do amazing things and my only job is to observe and ask questions in between patients. So. . . basically, I can't be sure if I finally figured out flirting or if the magic doctor dust got in my eyes and made me see visions of miracles. . .
The point is: the tables have turned and I'm not sure I like this view.
My older brother and I are 17 months apart. I was always just one inch and one grade in school below him. I used to pretend to be his twin so that I could do the same things he was doing. Like swimming without supervision at hotel pools. While he would insist that we were two years apart, I always pointed out that we were actually just 17 months which is seven months shy of the two full years.
Now, he is 25. The dreaded age of societal menacing. I am 23, an old maid by Provo standards, but still kickn' as a tiny tot by "the world's" view! Now, it's more convenient for him to be two years older than me. It reduces my accountability for my distinct inability to meet and notice eligible young men. Sorry big bro, but I'll throw you under the inspection of the raging parentals if it buys me a few more moments out of the spot light. Not that it saves me from awkward declarations my parents make in public...*sigh*
We will be two years apart only for the next two months. Oh man, I am not looking forward to my birthday. I might just be forced to acknowledge my lameness.
Whatever.
Dating, love, relationship bliss happens differently for everyone. Just like labor and delivery is never the same from one babe to the next.
The truth is:
I like soup.
I like chatting about babies ripping their way into this world.
I like quilts.
The thought of dating to appease my parents sort of makes me doubt myself in the worst way.
So idk why I've never read your blog before because I love it as much as I love you! First, I'd have loved to a part of the conversation about how babies are ripped from their home of nine months and brought into this one. Secondly, it kinda suck that your parents want to push you socially when it comes to dating. I'm sure their
ReplyDeleteconcern is your will end up alone, or focusing on this aspect of life once all the guys are gone and you're left w a much younger/older than your or a woman (lol jk!). I know you don't want any of those things BC you'd never pass up the chance to have the kind of loving family life that you've had with your parents and siblings with your own offspring, but your parents have to accept that it will come in your own time. But when it does, I'm sure you'll be more than ready for it (lack of flirting skills and all!)
You will not end up an old maid. Why? You're smart, funny, you bathe, I'm pretty sure you don't pick at your body parts in public, and you have the added bonus of not looking like a toad. I think if you relax and tune out your parents, things will start happening for you. :)
ReplyDeleteWe do not think you are a loser... however your dad likes to tease and that is just such a huge point to tease on.... no girl on either side of the family has not been married before age 21 at the latest and I think that it has been more like 19 for everyone with the exception of my mother who was 21, that includes your dad's mother and both of his sisters (so it is not a religious thing)... the point is you seem to not get out there and try to meet guys and he wants that for you.... so now yes you need to try.... but you do not have to be like your sisters and marry the first guy that comes along...even though for them it is working.... we do love you and want the best for you.... See the old ladies at church are not so bad are we?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could serve a mission and meet a guy in the field? LOL. Of course, you couldn't date 'til after the mission, but I have heard of lots of women meeting their husbands that way. I think you would make a great missionary.
ReplyDeleteI like the phrase, "prove that I'll produce progeny for the grandparents to spoil and corrupt." Obviously nothing I can say about this, I was just barely twenty when I got married, but I don't think you're an old maid. Besides, if you actually do become an old maid, you never know who you'll meet. As long as you're not shunning opportunities to get to know people, you can't blame yourself. P.S. You're awesome, and I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the positive thoughts! While I do know that I won't end up a crazy cat lady who talks to herself and never knew the lovn' of a man, I feel like it's a perfectly reasonable fear -- particularly after having been submersed in the BYU LDS community for four glorious years.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for reading! I talk almost exclusively about myself, but I'm glad to entertain you in some way or catch your fancy...Ooh la la!