Wedding Invitations from Friends

Gaining years of being single? It's easier than you think.

You work hard, go on occasional blind dates, and if they fail, you fill your time with all sorts of hobbies.

You go on a diet, change your style. If you only fail a couple of times a year, the number of candles on your birthday cake increases in an instant.

"Guys, I've set a date."

It was winter in December, before the new year.

Even my friend who I didn't know was dating suddenly announced that she had set a wedding date.

I was so shocked, I even asked if she was pregnant.

She said she got proposed to after only 100 days of dating.

"Oh? I got my invitation too."

"Really? I'm getting married next year."

At 29 years old, as if they had made an agreement, my friends got married one after another with a few months in between.

Now, out of 8 of us, only 3 are single, including me.

I'll probably get married around 30.

I thought it was natural, even if it was vague.

The anxiety, the pressure of being left behind.

But I didn't want to let anyone know I felt that way.

They say even a straw sandal has its pair. I hated that saying.

I wonder if my pair is in Seoul, abroad, or even if they were born.

I was resentful, seeing couples walking past, thinking, "All these people have their pair, why don't I?"

I'm not against marriage. I didn't have any desire to live my life single and awesome.

I wanted to meet someone I loved, date, get married, have rabbit-like kids.

Like the big lie that you'll lose weight in college, the idea that you'll naturally get married as you age was a lie.

Plus, I wouldn't be able to catch the bouquet.

That spot was for another friend who would be getting married next.

Older single ladies around me would cry about being lonely when they drank,

and the next day, they would go back to their daily lives as if nothing had happened. Rather than offering awkward comfort, we just pretended not to know.

My married friends told me that I would find someone good soon.

That winter night, when I received 4 wedding invitations at once, I cried a lot.

I can't be in despair forever. What's wrong with me? I just haven't met the right person yet.

I was confident that at least I was at a level where the matchmaker wouldn't be embarrassed.

So, I threw off the mask of pretending not to be interested and actively asked people to introduce me.

If you know anyone decent, please introduce me.

The response was good. Everyone tried hard to set me up on blind dates, whether it was through one or more connections.