Boys are Wimps

I'm not saying I'm like the coolest person out there... but don't you think boys would see a girl like this and think, "Wow, she looks fun!"... and want to get to know me better?  I don't even care about the "Wow she's hot" comment because boys don't say that about me.  I'm usually more on the "cute" side which is fine... but I'm not the kind of girl that turns heads as I walk by.  I just don't. :)  But what about my sparkling personality and fun-loving nature and enthusiastic energy for life?!  I look at this picture and think, "Hey, I'm totally happy right there."  And for some reason it just shows.  And I want a boy to know that side of me-- the adventurous, happy, playful, sensitive, nerdy side.  But not many do.

I was sitting next to a boy at church today in Sunday School.  I know he's 30 and I think he's cute.  In my head I thought, "I wonder why this guy never acknowledges my presence."  He was using a fancy iPad to read scriptures so I made a comment about it and our quick convo lasted 3 seconds.  And that was it.  A big, booming realization:

Boys don't talk to me at church.  Boys don't flirt with me at church.  Boys don't go out of their way to know me.  AND LET ME MAKE THIS DISCLAIMER:  This is not at all a pity-party-woa-is-me kind of blog post.  It's a matter-of-fact epiphany that became very clear today.  So i'm writing about it. :)  

Reasons why a boy might not talk to me at church:

I'm too old.

They don't like the short hair.

I'm the Relief Society President.

I'm "intimidating."

I'm too busy.

I don't dress trendy.

I'm just plain not attractive.

My personality is lame.

Well, I could go on and on, but that would be ridiculous, because I could give boys every excuse in the book as to why they're lame, but that just diminishes the light of who I really am!  What, you don't like short hair?  Too bad.  What, you think just because of my calling I'm a goody goody and won't accept you and your faults?  Guess what-- this girl is NOT perfect.  What, you think I'm too old? Seriously, have you ever hung out with me before?  I'm like 12.  So really-- it's their loss, for making quick judgments and decisions and missing out on this one.

Maybe part of the reason I was thinking about all of this at church today is because I have ONE more week left in a singles ward.  Ever.  And I was wondering if I would miss it.  Let me tell you what I'll miss:  All the wonderful people who make me feel like I'm something special.  A friend who leans over and tells me she loves my tiny fingers (haha), and then compliments my freckles.  I love the wives of the bishopric who supported me in my calling and reassured me and told me I was doing a great job.  I love the men (grown-up men) in the bishopric who were kind and honorable and so fun to work with.  I love the number of girls who come up to give me a hug, just because.  Or the girls who tell me I'm amazing and I've set a good example for them.  I love the moments of making eye contact with random people across the room and smiling or making faces in the middle of a lesson.  I love the people who put an arm around my shoulder and thank me for sharing my testimony.  Yes-- these are the people I love.  And these are the people that help me love myself.

So to all the boys out there... good luck with your lady hunt.  And to the girls out there... you're the best.

And to myself... Keep doing your thing, girlfriend.