Mike

“I almost bought flowers today… then remembered I didn’t have anybody to bring them home to.

I stood there a little longer than I should’ve.

Man, I want a wife. Somebody whose favorite flowers I know. Somebody I can call and say, ‘You need anything before I come home?’

But dating gets hard when you start caring, and then the calls get shorter… and you already know what’s coming.

I’ve caught myself pulling back early just so it won’t hurt as much. I’m working on that. She deserves a chance to get close to me.

And I still want to find her.

I want to walk past those flowers one day and know exactly who I’m bringing them home to.”

“I can admit I want a wife. What’s harder to admit is that sometimes… I wonder why nobody’s stayed.

I know every goodbye wasn’t my fault. I know some of them were. But when the house gets quiet, I catch myself going over things I can’t change.

Then I meet somebody, and I get hopeful again. Remember the little things she tells me. Make room in my week. Try to let her see me.

And baby, it hurts when that turns into another stranger whose birthday I still remember.

But I still want marriage. Still want to reach for somebody’s hand when we’re old.

I just wish I knew how many more goodbyes come before ‘I do.’”

“I’ve never said this out loud… but I’ve practiced my wedding vows, and I don’t even know who I’m saying them to.

Sometimes I think about standing there, seeing her walk toward me, knowing she’s just as sure about us as I am.

Then my phone lights up, and it’s somebody telling me they’re not ready for anything serious.

I respect it. But I’d be lying if I said starting over doesn’t hurt.

I want a wife. And I’m learning how to let somebody know me beyond the smile and the flirting—even when I’m scared she might leave.

Those vows still need some work, baby.

But I hope one day I get to look up from that paper… and there you are.”

“Y’all ever get tired of telling your mother, ‘No, I haven’t met anybody yet’?

I laugh when she asks. Change the subject. But truth is, I wish I had somebody to tell her about.

I want a wife. I want to bring her around my family and catch her getting comfortable, laughing with everybody while I’m across the room smiling at her.

But lately, I barely get comfortable with somebody before we stop talking.

And I’m trying not to carry that disappointment into the next conversation. She shouldn’t have to prove she’s different before I even know her.

I still believe I’ll find my woman.

Mama, I just wish I could tell you when.”

“I’m somebody’s emergency contact… but I wish I was somebody’s ‘Baby, I made it home.’

That’s the part of being single that gets me. I can handle my responsibilities. Cook my dinner. Get through a hard day.

But sometimes I sit in the car a few extra minutes because I know nobody’s inside waiting to hear about it.

I want a wife. And I know that means learning somebody, making compromises, having conversations I can’t just charm my way through.

I’m willing. Finding somebody who wants to do that with me has been the hard part.

Baby, wherever you are, I wonder if you’re sitting in your car tonight, too…

Wishing we were coming home to each other.”

“I keep saying I’m in no rush… but that ain’t the whole truth. I’m scared it won’t happen for me.

I want a wife. Somebody to turn toward in the middle of the night and whisper, ‘You still awake?’ because something’s on my mind.

And I want her to feel comfortable waking me up, too.

But getting there means opening up again. Another first date. Another conversation where I’m trying to be honest without feeling like I’ve said too much.

Sometimes I get home wondering if I should’ve played it cooler.

Then I think about the marriage I want.

Baby, I hope being honest about wanting you is what helps me find you.”

Everybody gna love me this Christmas

Why yall ain’t tell me UGG had flavors like this.

“I deleted a dating app last night… then downloaded it again. That’s how this search for my wife is going.

One minute I’m tired of introducing myself. Next minute I’m thinking, ‘What if she’s on there feeling just like me?’

So I try again.

And baby, I get nervous, too. I reread messages. Wonder if I called too soon. Act busy when I’m really hoping you’ll call.

I want a marriage, but sometimes I struggle just telling somebody, ‘I like you. I’d hate for this to go nowhere.’

Still, I’m willing to say it.

Because somewhere, there might be a woman staring at her phone… wishing a man would mean it.

And baby, I do.”

“Everybody jokes that I’m somebody’s future husband… I wish they knew how much I want that to be true.

I laugh along, but I’ve gone home from weddings quieter than I came.

Happy for my people. Just wondering when I’ll get to squeeze somebody’s hand under the table and say, ‘You ready for our turn?’

I want a wife. And dating has made me question myself more than I like admitting. Sometimes I leave a good date already bracing for her to stop calling.

I’m working on letting myself enjoy the possibility.

Because, baby, if we meet, I want to have the courage to tell you I’m falling for you…

While it’s still happening.”