Lonely for the Holidays

We singles manage to keep a brave front when it comes to attending functions alone and we smile from ear to ear celebrating right along our partnered counterparts with style, glee, and poise. And no matter how comfortable we are with our single-hood,  there’s one place where it stares us straight in the face and there’s just no hiding–the airport.

This morning at 4am, I got a call from the car service letting me know he was outside waiting. I reached for my luggage and made my way down three flights of stairs and braved the cold Brooklyn morning air. The 30 minute drive was filled with my Russian driver telling me why I was single. I loved his take, “You must either be really really smart “like genius” or really really stupid” And just like the good Mexican I am; I listened politely and rolled my eyes during a few of his rants. Once inside the airport as I waited to check in, I looked around and saw people hugging and kissing one another. I over heard phone conversations filled with, “Yes, baby, I love you too.” And as the waving, kissing and I love yous continued, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Where were my goodbyes?”

I’ve always had this issue and maybe that’s the reason I don’t like to travel. See, if I’m stuck at the airport, have a flight cancelled or get bumped off a flight–there’s no one around to update. And it’s those things that drive my fabulous single status to a screeching halt. I don’t mind sleeping next to a cold, empty space in bed during the winter, and I don’t crave having to give details on my whereabouts to anyone while running around in the city, but at the airport, I’m a slave to society and it’s values of being labeled a single, lonely loser during the holidays.  As I made it through security–getting my hair gel confiscated–my phone rang. It was Cris. “Where are you? The boys and I just made cinnamon rolls and they’re so excited to see you that they’re chanting your name over and over again–it’s actually getting annoying now.”

And that’s when it hit me; why did I confine my notion of “love” to only someone I have sex with? Love is so much more…and bigger, fabulous, courageous, marvelous, wonderful and can be found all around–if you really look; I mean really look. From our twitter friends, facebook buddies, blog readers to our very own Cris’–love is there.

So finally, after two lay-overs, sitting next to a fat-bald lady in a snowman sweater who smelled of coconut, and having my luggage handle explode off the bag when a disgruntled airport employee violently tossed my bag on the  revolving baggage rack, I realized two things–one:  never buy luggage at the dollar store; two: I’ll never be lonely for the holidays again, not with a new generation of love surrounding me.

Are you feeling the holiday blues? Don’t–I’m here for you. I understand, but no one should feel like that–EVER, not just during the holidays;  so leave me a message and I’ll do my hardest to make you feel like the special, awesome, wonderful brilliant person that you are–I promise!