The problem with single-againness

I have identified my one big problem with being single again at the age of 26--the lack of also single friends. An unfortunate truth in my life is that I have always tended to jump the gun, which is how I ended up married at the age of 20. At a time when I should have been having tons of fun and exercising occasional bad judgment, I was already tied down. This fact often precluded me from being out with my single friends, and resulted in my being relegated to couple friends.

As a couple, having couple friends is an absolute necessity; however, what happens when one of the couples is no longer a couple? Inevitably the couple friends have to choose one of the now single parties to remain friends with, if they remain friends with either party. In my previous relationship, the couple friends were almost always originally my ex's friends first; therefore, I am left to feel, at best, uncomfortable.

What I have come to realize, though, is that my once single friends during our early 20s are now in marriages or committed relationships, as many people in their mid-to-late 20s are. Those who have managed to remain single are either members of a lone wolf pack or already have deeply meaningful friendships.

This post is not to say that I begrudge any of my friends who are in happy relationships, or who have already cultivated awesome friendships. Nor is it to say that I am ungrateful for the friendships I do have. I have great friends, but for whatever reason, we aren't able to hang out.  My point is this: making friends as a 26 year old single parent is tough.