I’ve been trying to say this for awhile, but just didn’t know how…

I can’t be alone.

Once, my completely crippling fear of doing something on my own kept me from going to my friends wedding.

A girl who I had lived with in college for 3 years was getting married the same weekend that J had shoulder surgery. Determined that I wouldn’t miss this sacred event in her life, I booked a hotel room for myself and left early Saturday morning to make the 6 hour drive.

Another one of the roommates we lived with had text me earlier about meeting up. I was relieved to have someone to sit with at the wedding since I wasn’t that close to her family. I text this same girl as I was leaving home, letting her know I’d be there in driving time.

Me-“Hey! I’ve just left my house so I’ll be there right before the wedding. Want to meet up somewhere before?”

Going-To-Be-Sitting-With-Friend-“I’m in the wedding so I’m already here getting ready. We’re all so excited to see you though!!!”

I’m sure she used this many exclamation points because-

1. I was the only roommate thus far to move away and they probably were excited for us all to be reunited.

2. She must have felt bad that I didn’t know she was in the wedding. And yea, I felt terrible.

I called James in a panic. I don’t want to sit by myself at the wedding, or especially the reception where they’re all going to be sitting up front and I’ll have no one! I don’t want to have to walk in alone, sit along, eat alone, never ever ever be alone!

This problem isn’t a new development. My parents often tell me that I have a brother because they wanted to make sure I had someone to play with. If I hadn’t had a sibling I would have annoyed the shit out of them trying to get attention. I’ve just never liked being alone. I don’t mind it every once in awhile (obviously I write and do a little crafting alone) but even that is better if my cats are near me and I know J is just down stairs.

I had to pull over on the side of the road, at one of those gas stations that just have pumps around the outside of the building, and completely bawl my eyes out. I really wanted to get out of town and go to the wedding, but more than that I didn’t want to go alone. I tried begging J to come with me. I tried imagining that I could show up to this wedding alone. But in reality, I made it 30 minutes away from home by myself and had such a mental breakdown I had to come back.

Maybe it’s a little ridiculous and I should have sucked it up and gone alone. But I’m such an introvert when it comes to meeting people I knew I’d sit at the wedding alone and talk to no one. It’s why I have a hard time making friends, even though I want them. And in a vicious cycle- I don’t want to go anywhere alone, but I don’t know how to make friends to go with.

Depression is lonely and loneliness is depressing.

The weirdest thing happened here yesterday, we got a snow day! At 11:00 we got to go home from work, and around 1:00 they called to tell us work would be cancelled for today too!

Although we only ended up with about 4 inches of snow, for the South that’s A LOT. It was like the end of the world for awhile; calls not going through, babies being born on the road, hundreds of cars stuck in the ditches. The weather updates say, “Extreme Travel Chaos in the Deep South.” Luckily we were at home playing in the snow by the time that all happened. And today we’ll be staying warm inside!

I thought I’d post a January update about the GaterBait household.

The south is going through a weird cold spell, along with most of the nation, so we’ve been hiding inside by the space heater most days. We did start painting our breakfast nook and move in an entertainment center last week, but our other projects have been on hold. Instead of getting much done on the house(s), I’ve been crafting. I’ve definitely enjoyed spending some time feeling artsy.

J finally broke down and went to the doctor about his shoulder hurting. They told him because he’d had shoulder surgery about 15 months ago there is a misalignment in that arm causing some inflammation. He got some anti-inflammatory cream and has been trying it for the last week. However, he still feels like he has so much pain in his shoulder that he needs another option. He’d like to avoid another surgery, so is thinking some physical therapy and even a chiropractor might help.

We got to experience puppy sitting a few times this month with our friends pit bull. She is the sweetest dog and I think next time the puppy sitting might turn into puppy stealing. After we had to give her back J woke up in the morning and still went outside looking for her out of habit. We wouldn’t be very good dog owners though, since we travel so much. The cats are more resilient to being left alone for a few days.

Was there a storm 12 weeks ago that I missed? Several of our friends have announced that they’re 12 weeks pregnant. In celebration, J and I had a beer for them, and then discussed having an impromptu trip to New Orleans with friends. You’re only 25 once!

My grandfather celebrated his 90th birthday last week, and had a party over the weekend. I was so depressed on Saturday that I couldn’t be home for it. The hardest part about living far from my family is missing things like that. In fact the anticipation of knowing I couldn’t be there, and the after math of knowing I missed it, kinda ruined my week.

We hope everyone else had a great January, and thinks warm thoughts for February!