"Alone"

Dear kind sir who messaged me on an online dating site:

You wrote what seemed to be a thoughtful message.  I could tell you actually looked at my profile, found things that were interesting, and addressed them in the message in an attempt to engage me in a meaningful conversation.  I appreciate that so much more than the, "what's up?" or the "Hi I am looking for an eternal companion (btw, I'm from ____ so I will require a greencard first.)."  Your looks are even tolerable - you're not an Abercrombie model, but we all know they are douches anyway.  And it's not like I'm a model either, so fair game I suppose.  You could grow on me.  But what is REALLY keeping me from clicking on your profile to find out more about you or responding to your message?  Your screen name:  "AloneAndLooking."  Why not, "SingleAndLooking," "Bob623," or simply "Looking?"  It's just a word, I know, but the use of "alone" really conjures up this image of you sitting home alone on a Friday night feeling sorry for yourself.  Get over it.  This is my response to you, sir.  (or this)

I guess maybe I need to get over it.  Maybe I am being too harsh on him.  It is lonely being single.  It sucks.  You do feel "alone."  I know marriage is not easy and is not necessarily the "greener pasture" - it will involve a lifetime of compromises, sacrifice, and overlooking annoying quirks when appropriate.  You have two people's sets of problems instead of just your own (plus any kiddos you have along the way).  I get it.  I get to go off and have foreign travels that I probably couldn't experience if I was saving up for a down payment on a house or paying for little Suzie's ballet class.  I enjoy my travels and I feel like they are growing me into a better person.  However, in the grand scheme of things, I'd rather have a husband and children.  At the end of my life, I hope to look back and say that I changed people's lives for the better.  People say I do that with my job, although ridiculous bureaucratic nonsense and complexity of child welfare keep me from agreeing... It's just not the same as having a family, or having someone to come home to that appreciates both my talents and my quirks, and whose talents and quirks I can find inspiring and endearing.

This may seem like a long, negative post... but I actually just deleted a big chunk that was evolving and spiraling even further into post-midnight, stream-of-consciousness ranting.  You're welcome.