Dear readers,
Here's a few thoughts on this holiday all about love and all sorts of relationships, compliments of PostSecret:
So the one thing that worried me when I started this blog, was the ever nagging question: is this blog project inclusive enough for friends, family, and strangers that don't happen to be dating anyone special? Am I being thoughtful, or am I being obnoxious with the potential schmaltz?
I didn't ever want this blog to be a source of le sigh, sort of disappointment for any single individual, because life without a mate is still filled with loving companionship and in addition, can be extremely rewarding and life-affirming. It allows you to experience extensive adventures without worrying about a partner. Heck, for most of my own life I have very much been single and felt, for the most part, fulfilled in a myriad of other ways: through friendship, hobbies, travel, etc. Every Valentine's Day, I only really received flowers from my father and didn't really have that special someone to share the holiday with.
So where my girls at? "Put 'cha hands up!" as Beyonce so famously sings. Throughout the years, my plus ones have mostly been my female friends: a continuing, steady stream of support. We've hiked, danced, dined out on the town, and commiserated over mediocre dates and those that we have truly cared for that never seemed to have measured up. In fact, I have attended all of my best friend's weddings without any real lover in the traditional sense of the word.
I think many of my readers out there are women. Specifically, I'd like to give a special shout-out to my nearest and dearest lady friends from coast to coast:
In NYC: Christina M, Kathleen B, and Michelle H.
In LA, Krupinski, Swallace, Liz Shimabukuro, and Kara M.
In Boston, Courtney G. and my roomie Leslie G.
After all,
Until then, I hope that everyone, no matter what their relationship status or feelings about romantic love at the time, will become a part of our inclusive reader community where you'll always be able to comment. We welcome anyone's perspective.
All my love,
Tanya
Here's a few thoughts on this holiday all about love and all sorts of relationships, compliments of PostSecret:
So the one thing that worried me when I started this blog, was the ever nagging question: is this blog project inclusive enough for friends, family, and strangers that don't happen to be dating anyone special? Am I being thoughtful, or am I being obnoxious with the potential schmaltz?
I didn't ever want this blog to be a source of le sigh, sort of disappointment for any single individual, because life without a mate is still filled with loving companionship and in addition, can be extremely rewarding and life-affirming. It allows you to experience extensive adventures without worrying about a partner. Heck, for most of my own life I have very much been single and felt, for the most part, fulfilled in a myriad of other ways: through friendship, hobbies, travel, etc. Every Valentine's Day, I only really received flowers from my father and didn't really have that special someone to share the holiday with.
So where my girls at? "Put 'cha hands up!" as Beyonce so famously sings. Throughout the years, my plus ones have mostly been my female friends: a continuing, steady stream of support. We've hiked, danced, dined out on the town, and commiserated over mediocre dates and those that we have truly cared for that never seemed to have measured up. In fact, I have attended all of my best friend's weddings without any real lover in the traditional sense of the word.
I think many of my readers out there are women. Specifically, I'd like to give a special shout-out to my nearest and dearest lady friends from coast to coast:
In NYC: Christina M, Kathleen B, and Michelle H.
In LA, Krupinski, Swallace, Liz Shimabukuro, and Kara M.
In Boston, Courtney G. and my roomie Leslie G.
After all,
"...I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." ~ Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
Also, my feminist mantra for many years has been: "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" - Gloria Steinem (my mantra for years!)
Also, my feminist mantra for many years has been: "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" - Gloria Steinem (my mantra for years!)
I think the long term goal of my Plus One: the Love Project after my goal of featuring 365 romantic couples or so (gay and straight) is to expand the notion of love to more different types of relationships: best friends for years, sisters, teammates, brothers, and coaches/mentors, grandparents and grandchildren, etc.
Until then, I hope that everyone, no matter what their relationship status or feelings about romantic love at the time, will become a part of our inclusive reader community where you'll always be able to comment. We welcome anyone's perspective.
All my love,
Tanya
Awesome idea for a blog, Tanya! You write beautifully and have such a unique voice. This seems like it should be the perfect opportunity to showcase your many talents!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a blog that covers relationships from a wider scope, including couples of all ages, types, and, of course, us single gals! In fact, I can't think of a site on the internet about relationships that is as all inclusive as yours is now!
I tried to "follow" your blog, but, unfortunately could not do so, without having the right type of Google account. So, I will have to bookmark you instead. No worries! I can't wait to see what you write about next. Rock on, girlie. You rule!