Facts & Arguments is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide.
Our love affair began back when I was in school and needed a caffeine pick-me-up or a place to pretend to write an essay when the library was full.
We had so much in common: a strong affection for hot beverages and smooth hipster music. Most importantly, we agreed that Christmas decorations were definitely acceptable as soon as November arrived.
We had been seeing each other for quite some time, and while the thought of having to constantly make decisions often led to anxiety, I knew it was time to take our relationship to the next level. So I took a leap of faith and signed up for my very own rewards card.
Everything was going great. The stars were aligning with each purchase, and our bond was growing stronger and stronger. Then, just after things became official and I received my “Gold Member” (please read in Dr. Evil voice) status, the unthinkable happened: Starbucks made me cry.
Now, before you get all judgey, allow me to explain.
A little while ago, Starbucks busted out its annual “2-for-1” holiday beverage special. This was a most wonderful time of year, when for a few days only, between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., you got a free drink with the purchase of one holiday drink. It’s a time dreaded by all level-headed employees and anxiously anticipated by teenyboppers everywhere.
What a lovely concept – grab a friend or loved one and enjoy a nice hot drink together.
But what happens if you don’t have anyone to share with? In my case, the answer was tears – and lots of them. Of course, I didn’t cry right there in the store because that would be dramatic. Instead, I waited until I got into my (parents’) car like any respectable adult would.
Let me be clear: I was by no means alone, but surrounded by an abundance of loving individuals. However, on that particular day and at that particular moment, I felt incredibly alone – hence the breakdown.
I am currently at that splendid time in my life when I’m suddenly the only single one of all of my friends. Many of them are living with their significant other and settling down. Others are simply riding the wave of a Tinder date gone well.
While I am by no means ready to settle down, I do often find myself wishing that I, too, had someone other than my mom to pose with in Instagram photos.
Despite my slight melodramatic tendencies, I am really happy with where I am in my life right now. I am in a program I love that forces me out of my comfort zone every day and gives me the courage to act out my childhood dreams on a stage. I am the most confident and secure I’ve ever been. And this was all done by me, for me, without a boy by my side.
Yes, I often daydream about whether the cute boy in line in front of me will accidentally spill his drink on me, then offer to buy me a coffee, then fall madly in love with my natural wit and charm.
Yes, I am that girl who fantasizes about a boy spilling his drink on me. I watch a lot of movies, okay?
However, I do NOT believe that I need a boyfriend to be happy, which is exactly why I was so upset at Starbucks for paying more attention to those who are in couples than to loyal, Christmas-loving singles such as myself.
I am constantly reminded of the fact I don’t have a boyfriend by my friends and relatives, and even the guy who painted my house, so I really don’t need a coffee corporation to do it, too.
I am tired of hearing everyone tell me “it’ll happen when you least expect it” or “we’ll just have to find you someone now.”
What’s so wrong with being single? When did it become the embarrassing disease that people only talk about in hushed tones? I don’t need to be “cured” and I don’t need your help. I’m quite fine, thank you.
So, Starbucks, my beloved, maybe it’s time you rethought your holiday special and made it simply half-price holiday beverages for everyone.
As for the rest of you, I won’t always be single (I hope), but right now I am. I am okay with this, so you should be, too. I don’t need your pity or condescending comments. I just need you to be happy for the person I am and stop asking me if I’m gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that, as they used to say on Seinfeld).
As a very wise woman (Taylor Swift), once said: I’m “happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time.” At least that’s what I’m thinking to myself right now as I sit here writing this in Starbucks. Ironic, I know, but ’tis the season to forgive and be with the ones you love.
Jenna Shamata lives in Newmarket, Ont.