January 1, 2009

So, it is once again the first of the year. Usually this means, I will be talking about losing five, okay ten, pounds, as well as pay off my car, and other crazy things but this year is different. Except for the losing weight part, that's still the same. But this time, it's for a different reason. That reason being....I WANT A FAMILY.

I recently came to this revelation as I was at the christening for my sister Alice's baby's christening. My dad had recently died this June and it was really tough without him there to see his first granddaughter and I don't know, it was just an eye-opener for me. I want more in my life than my career. Not that I regret my life so far. While most of my friends, Angela, Jessica, and Lauren, got married within a year after graduating college. That was never for me though. I wanted to conquer the business world first, and I'm pleased to say that I did. I now own my own graphic art company and we are getting more business than ever. However, now that I am moving on to thirty, and seeing most of my friends married and starting families, my sister Alice and her husband Jasper included, I'm starting to want that too.

Holding my niece Melanie in my arms, something in me shifted. I could easily see myself in my sister's place, watching their baby be baptized. And while I've always been the strong, independent type like our mother, I've finally come to realize that having someone to lean on once in a while is okay too. And besides, with the right husband, I can have it all: husband, family, and career. So, now that I have my goal in mind, I need a plan. And the first part of that is finding a husband. I figure I can have that done by time I turn thirty in 3 months.

Ugh, sweat was pouring down my forehead. I swear, running is completely overrated. And I mean, ridiculously overrated. Only one minute left, sixty short seconds. Yeah, okay, easier said than done. Finally, my treadmill beeped and slowed down, signaling I was done and could cool down. I panted heavily while wiping my face with a towel. My best friend Rosalie wanted me to join a gym with her to meet men, but I told her I needed to lose some extra pounds first. Kind of like, cleaning before the cleaning lady came type of thing.

I stepped off the treadmill and peeked out the window, looking outside. I was getting a new neighbor today. Since the house was a three bedroom, I figured it would be a family. Not paying any more attention, I went and got a drink of water. I was itching to go weigh myself but forced myself not to. Rose said I was putting too much stock in the physical but, being a graphic artist forced to deal with logos and such, I knew packaging sold. And besides, Rose wasn't one to talk. She was already drop dead gorgeous. Blond hair, blue eyes, and legs for daze, it amazed me how she wasn't married, much less attached, at the moment. She had been married before, to a guy named Royce. But he had turned out to be a total jerk and had left her for a stripper after not even a year of marriage.

After a quick shower, I changed clothes and headed to the grocery store. I needed to stock up on some more healthy food. Pulling in the driveway, I noticed my earlier suspicions about the next door neighbors were confirmed as I saw two kids running around outside. I was getting ready to start taking in my groceries when the girl ran up to me.

"Hi, I'm Chloe," she stated. "Do you want some help?"

"'Sure, I'm Bella," I told her. "Thanks a lot."

"No problem," her brother, at least that's what I assumed, replied as he grabbed a bag as well. "I'm Joel. Do you have any kids?"

"Nope," I answered him.

"Well, that stinks. Do you know anyone who does on this block?"

"Unfortunately," I told him, trying to unlock my door. "I don't think anyone in the neighborhood has kids your guy's age."

"Here, let me unlock your door," Chloe said, taking the keys from my hand with her free one. "Mom says I'm a big help, especially now that her and dad are divorced."

Hmm, I thought to myself. So maybe the next door neighbor is available. I quickly shook my head of these thoughts though, realizing I hadn't even met the guy. I led the way to the kitchen so they could set down the bags and thanked them again for their help. Joel was quick to leave, but Chloe decided to stay.

"No problem," Chloe replied. "Are you married?"

"Not yet," I told her.

"Okay, well, I should go have lunch. See ya later Bella!"

Just then, my phone rang. I picked it up and before I could even get in a hello, Rosalie squealed.

"I found the answer!"

"Answer to what?" I asked, confused.

"How to meet the men of our dreams of course!!"

"Oh great. And what is the answer," I nearly growled. I could just imagine her crazy scheme.

"Now, don't say anything yet. Just hear me out. Ok?"

"Ok," I grumbled.

"It's a dating service called Dateline, and before you say anything, because I know you are dying to, this one is different."

"What they use videos?" I couldn't resist putting the sarcasm in my voice. Honestly, this was so much easier in high school and college.

"No, what you do is you fill out an application, because they are very select in who they pick, then you pay two thousand dollars -"

"TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ROSALIE?! Are you crazy?!"

"No, I am not crazy. And you promised to hear me out. Anyway, you don't pay until after you are accepted. And once you pay they are one hundred percent committed to finding you the perfect match."

I rolled my eyes. I couldn't believe she was actually serious about this. But then again, this was Rosalie. She would do anything when desperate enough.

"For two thousand dollars, I better get a date with Leonardo DiCaprio," I told her.

"He wouldn't date the likes of us," she laughed. "But seriously, I'm really thinking about doing this. You should too."

"Nope, not interested. Besides, I already met a guy today. His name is Laurent, he just started working at the bank. He's nice, cute, and sensitive."

"Did he just start working last Friday?"

"Yeah, why? Do you know him?"

"Yeah. And I also know he happens to be gay."

Damn it. Of course that would be my luck. Go figure.

"So," Rose interrupted my thoughts. "Are you going to try Dateline with me?"

"No, I'm going to try dating my way first. Then we'll see."

"Alright, but you'll be changing your mind once I get my first man."

I laughed and told her goodbye before getting started on dinner. Only Rose would run to a dating service. However, just to be safe, I did a quick google of Dateline and sent in a request for a brochure. Just to be safe of course.