The Pact

A few years ago, I made a pact with my friend that if we weren't married by the age 30 that we'd get married. He's since married one of my closest friends and I'll never forget that when he knew he was going to propose, he started off the convo with: I hate to break this to you but you'll have to find someone else for your pact. And today as I sit 1 year and six months away from my 30th birthday I realize, I don't have anyone still for my pact. That phone call happened three years ago this month. I keep thinking about the person I spent time with this weekend and while he may not be a good fit for the pact, he might be good for a plus 1 pact. Someone who I can call on when I need to go somewhere and don't want to go it alone. I think about how much attending weddings alone has become a depressing. I know the true measure of friendship is that you can be happy for someone else in spite of your situation, but with the slew of weddings that are impending upon my life, I'd like to have a little fun as well with someone. I've yet to go on a vacation recently and experience something and not think "I wish I had someone to share this moment with." It's not that I can't enjoy the moment but it's just like running in a race with a friend: it's a lot more fun to help each other get through the rough parts and cross together. And that's what I envision my marriage to be. A partner who coaxes me through when I feel like quitting. Who may push me to go faster than I normally would on some things but then also willing to slow down when I need a break. But also the person who is the first to hug me in the big moments. Someone who can keep the weaknesses and flaws I exhibit under wraps but also admire how they make me who I am. I of course want to do the same for this person. Make sure they know I can be there for them and that together we can achieve anything. In the meantime maybe I'll just set up a dating service entitled "Plus One" that helps women and men have dates for special events only and these are consenting adults who will do someone else a favor in return for someone going to an event with them.