My little sister recently gave me an ultimatum: Date my friend that she adores or she was signing me up for Christian Mingle. 

It was during this ultimatum that I realized how often I am asked, “Do you have a boyfriend?” A favorite question of pretty much any person I have ever met.

The older I get, the more I feel the need to justify why I don’t because let’s face…the answer is usually no. I’m not sure if people can’t think of anything better to ask me or maybe just hoping for some great story, but either way the conversation is going nowhere fast. 

Some more recent excuses I have been using:

1. I don’t know any boys.
2. Dating requires daily showers: me and my hair aren’t ready for that kind of commitment.
3. All the boys I know wear skinny jeans… (This one goes over well at home. Being from a small town that is about 5 years behind on trends, a boy wearing skinny jeans is something my neighbors can’t wrap their head around.)
4. I’m not looking for a boyfriend…I’m looking for a manfriend.  (That one usually just confuses people)
5. I’m saving myself for Ryan Gosling.

After I use the excuse I deem appropriate for the situation, I am usually met with a round of “Oh honey, I’ll pray for you.”