Call me lucky, call me spoiled, but I haven’t been single in 10 years…and I’ve never had to worry about spending Valentines or any other Holiday alone. Though my family will always be there for me, this year will be different.

In the past 6 weeks since my last post, I’ve been slowly and reluctantly trying to distance myself from my now ex-boyfriend. This is no easy feat when two people, who have realized that they are too different to make a relationship work, still live together and care deeply about each other. I suggested 2 weeks ago that he start moving out to allow us both some space to ourselves but as of right now, only 20% of his stuff is out of my house…the other 80% has been piled up in a spare bedroom for almost 2 weeks, with no sign of progress.

So here we are, the day before Christmas. He’s out at lunch with a “friend” who he’ll happen to spend New Year’s with (yeah, i know)…and tonight, he’s been invited to dinner with my parents and extended family, none of whom know about our new relationship status except for my little brother. It’ll be so hard to keep a smile on my face, but if my mom finds out, Christmas dinner will be ruined for everyone.

I know the pain will pass with time, but feel free to suggest some breakup songs for my iPod, which will undoubtedly be attached to my hip for the next few days while I watch everyone else hold hands and get lovey dovey.