Another Valentine’s Day, and I’m single. I don’t know whether to feel proud for “obeying” my parents or just quietly lonely. Maybe both.
Today my mom gave me a three-hour lecture about how love destroys careers. My dad has made it clear he would disown me if I ever went against their expectations. And my grandmother casually talks about marrying me off in my late teens like I’m some life goal she wants to tick off.
It’s strange .... being spoken about like a future event instead of a person.
I don’t want to be rushed into someone else’s timeline. I don’t want my life to be managed like a project plan. I want loyalty. I want someone who stands beside me in my worst moments, not just a marriage arranged to satisfy tradition.
Right now, the only person in my family I feel safe leaning on is my mom. And even then, it feels complicated.
I’m still figuring out what I believe about love... But I know this: my life is not a deadline... My heart is not a family obligation... And I deserve the right to choose when .. and if... I love.
For now, I’m choosing myself...though it stingss
