Hello! I’m Rachel, and I am a jr high/high school music teacher living in Kansas. I’m Catholic and 33 years old. In my spare time I enjoy reading, baking, spending time with friends and family (especially my nieces), and being crafty. Even though I’m not a huge fan of flying, I absolutely love to travel.
What’s your singleness story?
Well, like a lot of people, once I graduated from high school, I thought that I would go to college, meet somebody, graduate with my degree, get married, and start a family and a career. 
It’s now been 11 years since I graduated from college, and I have my degree and my career, but no husband.
When I was in high school, my friends dated, but I never really did. I was very shy and pretty awkward in school and didn’t really talk to anyone except the people I was closest to.
If I am being completely honest, I saw the way my friends acted when they were dating this-guy and that-guy and kind of decided that maybe dating wasn’t for me. I was content to just fade into the background. My first ‘real’ boyfriend happened during my senior year of high school and lasted just a couple of months.
What’s the best thing about being single?
The best thing for me about being single is the flexibility I have. It’s nice to be able to just leave for the weekend to go visit family or friends and not have to check in with or worry about anyone else. Plus I don’t have to share my bathroom with anyone!
If you would have told me 15 years ago how independent I would become since graduating from high school, I would not have believed you. But in that time, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, bought a house, traveled through Europe 3 times, and have gotten very involved in my church and community. I am also a pretty great aunt, if I do say so myself! :) Life is good!
What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to singleness?
My biggest struggle with being single is looking around and seeing my friends and family members getting married and wondering if I’ve done something wrong in my life. Is there a reason that I’m not married? Have I done something wrong? Did I miss my opportunity?
There are days I struggle greatly with the fact that I am still single, and the loneliness that accompanies it. It feels like God has forgotten me. But it’s during those times that I pray and remind myself that God does have a plan for me, even though I may not know what it is.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give your fellow singles?
Even though it’s hard some days, embrace your singleness and use it to help other people. Volunteer your time and talents in any way you can!
Like I said earlier – God has a plan for all of us. I’ve started praying that God see me the way He sees me, and to help me become that person.
Thanks for stopping by for this week’s edition of My Singleness Story. My Singleness Story is a series for singles, by singles. It’s a place for singles to have a voice and to share what they’re learning and struggling with during this season of life. It’s where we come together and learn we’re not alone. If you would like more information on how you can share your singleness story, you can find it here.
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