Read

A Newlywed's Promise to Her Single Friends

Creator:
No items found.
Published:
November 28, 2023
December 30, 2017
Seven bridesmaids, smiling and laughing, seeing the author Emily as a bride for the first time on her wedding day.|What changes when you get married? Here's this newlywed couple's promise, as they look through tunnel formed by two lines of friends.

Dear friends,

We tied the knot! We know you’re happy for us, but some of you might be worried that the first day of marriage also means the beginning of “settled” life. While we are no longer ‘single and ready to mingle,’ that doesn’t mean we are settling for anything!

The people you knew before that fateful Tinder swipe are still your friends today, just with rings on our fingers. It may be hard sometimes — with twice as many family obligations and eventually a baby or two — but we are just as committed to making time for our friends as we are to each other.

You heard the vows we made to each other on our wedding day; here is what we’re promising you, too.

Our feelings of wanderlust and love of parties are not going to go away.

Our dreams aren’t limited by marriage or our desire for kids — and we definitely won’t hold yours back, either. We aren’t leaving one world and entering another; we’re still here and we will still go out. (You know how we love to dance!) So please don’t avoid inviting us to things, and we promise to be just as fun as we were when you met us.

Wednesday beers with the guys will still happen. (And so will girls’ weekends!)

Single life may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to spend all our time together. The friendships we made formed us into the people we are today, and they are still very important to us. As heartwarming as it is when your spouse builds relationships with your friends, not everything needs to include him or her.

Newlywed couple looks at camera through tunnel formed by two lines of wedding party.
I won’t try to set you up if you don’t want to be.

I understand not everyone wants to be married. Just because we chose marriage doesn’t mean you have to. If you are happy being single or just want to find love on your own, I promise not to try to force you to date someone (even if we think they are perfect for you!). It may be a cliché that married people only spend time with married friends, but we won’t make that come true.

If you need a wingwoman, I am there for you!

We think marriage is awesome and if it’s something you want, too, then we will help you get there in any way you want. Host a dinner party to introduce single friends? I’d love to. Go on a double date with your new boyfriend? Absolutely. Our relationship didn’t happen without the help of some friends, and if you find someone you think could be really special, we will support you.

Your friend then, now, and always,

Emily Mae Mentock

Creators:
Emily Mae Mentock
Published:
November 28, 2023
December 30, 2017
On a related note...
"The Attendants"

"The Attendants"

Barbara Lisette

Breaking Up: When It’s Time and How to Do It

Breaking Up: When It’s Time and How to Do It

Grotto Shares

How Volunteering Led to an Unlikely Friendship

How Volunteering Led to an Unlikely Friendship

Manda Carpenter

Is Your Team Pulling Apart? Here’s the Key to Working Together

Is Your Team Pulling Apart? Here’s the Key to Working Together

Khang Tran

How (& How Not) to Support a Pregnant Friend

How (& How Not) to Support a Pregnant Friend

Krista Steele

The Outgoing Introvert's Survival Guide

The Outgoing Introvert's Survival Guide

Grotto

How Our Friends Impact Who We Become

How Our Friends Impact Who We Become

John Tuttle

Father of 6 Speaks to the Challenges and Rewards of Parenting

Father of 6 Speaks to the Challenges and Rewards of Parenting

Grotto

How to Accompany a Friend Through an Unplanned Pregnancy

How to Accompany a Friend Through an Unplanned Pregnancy

Sarah Portner, LMSW

3 Questions to Ask Your S.O. Before Marriage

3 Questions to Ask Your S.O. Before Marriage

Mike Tenney

An Easy Guide to Writing Meaningful Thank-You Notes

An Easy Guide to Writing Meaningful Thank-You Notes

Ellen B. Koneck

An Open Letter to Discouraged Single Girls

An Open Letter to Discouraged Single Girls

Anne Ullrich

3 Sweet Recipes to Make (and Share) with Friends

3 Sweet Recipes to Make (and Share) with Friends

Ashley Adamczyk

How One Grandfather’s Stories Can Offer Perspective

How One Grandfather’s Stories Can Offer Perspective

Grotto

Quarantine Doesn’t Have to Threaten Your Marriage

Quarantine Doesn’t Have to Threaten Your Marriage

Erin Ramsey-Tooher

How Solidarity Heals Divisions — And 3 Ways to Practice It

How Solidarity Heals Divisions — And 3 Ways to Practice It

Mike Tenney

Say Goodbye to Awkward Dates with These Improv Tips

Say Goodbye to Awkward Dates with These Improv Tips

Anna White

15 New Games for Your Next Night In

15 New Games for Your Next Night In

Molly Cruitt

What We Can All Do to End Domestic Violence

What We Can All Do to End Domestic Violence

Grotto

Free Download: Guide to Intentional Dating

Free Download: Guide to Intentional Dating

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.