I do not need a man. I do not need a man. I do not need a man.

I have a great job, financial independence (complete with debt), fantastic friends, and a supportive family. My future is downright dazzling.

But man do I want one, and I am tired of feeling guilty for doing so. There is something about a male presence that is unlike any other comfort, and his absence is unsettling. I appreciate my girlfriends immensely, but they cannot salve the stresses of my day with a long, slow hug and a reassuring pat on the ass. My girlfriends will not pull me to the couch and rub my feet as we zone out to a basketball game. I do not watch sports when I am single. No one but my man can get away with tickling me, and he is the only one besides my teddy bear with whom I can cuddle at night. Not to mention the fact that some toys, while handy, cannot kiss.

But why, dammit? I have been single now for a record nine months, and I really wish I did not mind. I am a fully functioning adult. I am not looking to find myself in a man; I have already learned the futility of that endeavor. I have self-confidence, and I am not co-dependent. Even if I were, I have girlfriends. I know I want to get married, but I am not anxious to do it soon. By all logic, there is no reason I cannot be happy and alone. Yet, at the end of the day, I still want a warm body laying next to me.

It would be great to find someone I like and respect and they feel the same about me and see what happens. I want to date exclusively when I find a guy with all the qualities I looking for, I believe someday I will find this person. Otherwise, I'm totally drama-free, hassle-free, jealous-free, issue-free and free of expectations, other than for us to be honest.

Hopefully have a great time and laugh a lot. It does not matter what you are doing but who you are doing it with.