Since I was sixteen, I have traveled the road of life through a continuous string of relationships, with hardly any time in between them. There are times I have gone only a few months between relationships without dating anyone – and there are times that I found myself dating one woman almost immediately after saying goodbye to another. But since my birthday, I have been single – and I never before realized how wonderful and problem free the single life can be.

Since I now work from home, I have become a fan of The Maury Show, which airs at 10:00am and 12:00 noon on the WB11. Since I began watching it regularly, I have noticed that almost every episode is about whether or not someone has cheated on their significant other, and/or if the child they have together is theirs or not. Day after day, I watch couple after couple walk onto the stage of The Maury Show to hear the results of either lie detector or paternity tests – and then walk off the stage either screaming or crying when the results are read.

I also have known many, many couples throughout my adult life who have, after the stereotypical “honeymoon phase,” resorted to a life of fighting, mistrust, anger, and public bickering. I myself have had my share of those moments – and they are anything but romantic and magical. What’s worse are the couples who live this way and have children. Not only are they bonded together for the rest of their lives – but they carry out their Möbius Strip of drama in front of young, impressionable children.

Perhaps it is the fact that I am now seriously jaded when it comes to relationships and for the first time in my life, only see the romantic glass as half empty. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have seen so many breakups and have suffered so many of my own. Or it could be because I am watching too much of The Maury Show – but whatever the reason – I now realize that the single life is indeed the simple life. When you are single, your life is entirely your own. You are free to live life exactly how you wish, and do not have to “check” if you can go out with your friends. You don’t have to deal with mental scars from previous relationships. You do not have to live with a constant fear of infidelity, or deal with being accused of it. You don’t have to deal with lie detectors and paternity tests – and you can live life day by day and follow your own road, wherever it may lead.

This weekend, Woody’s fiancé Michelle and I are taking a road trip to Buffalo, New York to visit her family. I was asked if I would like to go with her on this excursion only yesterday – and I am obviously not going to pass up the opportunity to go on my first vacation of 2005. Being single and completely in charge of my own life, I was able to immediately decide to go with her, without having to consult with anyone before packing my bags. Now I am not saying that anyone I ever dated would have stopped me from going on this trip – but I just find it exhilarating that my life can be decided on a whim – rather than in a relationship…

…and that is something I have fallen madly in love with.