The Single Friend

It's official. I am "The Single Friend." Every group of friends has "The Single Friend." Most groups of friends have more than one single member, but there is always the single member. Some friends are notoriously single or have made it very clear that they are single, love it, and plan to stay that way for a long while. These friends are not the single person.

The Single Friend [thee sing-guhl frend]; noun: the friend that everyone wants to match up with everyone else; whenever another single is met, this person is instantly thought of: Hey, you know what? I have this great single friend you should really meet.

Now don't get me wrong: I am definitely not complaining. Because I am The Single Friend, I actually have one, possibly two dates lined up next week. I have never been the designated single and I find this new role to be interesting and entertaining. I wonder how exactly I am first brought up to the potentials. Is it very cliche and routine ("So, I have this friend...") or is it happenstance ("Ya, my buddy Tracy loves that movie, too. Say, now that I think of it...")?

Once the subject is broached I assume a description follows. I am so curious as to what the description is, and how it alters across my friends. I suppose it would vary according to the likes and dislikes of the possible match they are speaking with. If they are a more humorous person, my description could begin with "She loves to laugh" or "She loves Family Guy/Simpsons/The Office/Dumb and Dumber" (insert Possible Match's favorite show or movie). If they are more intellectual, my friend may throw out that I've already earned a degree and have graduate school plans. If Possible Match is superficial (well then why, Friend, are you considering them to be my match?) they could try and assure them I am not unpleasant to look at. If Possible Match is a traveler-- well, you get the point.

I suppose this can also be a test of how well my friends know me. I can find out which members of my social circle really know me. If I go out on a blind date with someone, set up by a close friend, and Possible Match ends up being Horrible Match, my friend has some definite explaining to do.

I've also pondered how there is always The Single Friend of the group, when there is generally more than one single among social circles. How did I obtain this distinct position? I can't make generalizations across all friend groups, but I can theorize about my own. My friends all know me to be a relationship person. They've all seen the progress I have made since my break up, and they have witnessed me sincerely enjoying this whole "single" thing for once. But unlike Notoriously Single and Single-And-Loving-It, they know that deep down, I am truly excited to meet the next One. And, being the fantastic friends that they are, they're eager to help me find him.