From estranged to engaged

In recent weeks it has donned on me that a flurry of ex-boyfriends are getting hitched in this town. I say this only because a collection of my closest girlfriends - all at once it would seem - have come to me with the news that an ex has recently popped the question. No big deal right? Simply not so possums.

These said girlfriends have since moved on to other relationships, in some cases many times over, yet somehow the news of an ex-boyfriend’s pending nuptials still gets under a gals skin. Why do women feel an inkling of jealousy when news like this is brought to our attention? If we’re over these boys as we say, what gives?

The fact is, women tend to indulge themselves in the fantasy of what the future might look like with each and every boy we date. It’s just how we’re built. Deny it if you will ladies, but you know what I’m talking about. We can’t help ourselves, it’s something to do with the make-up of our inner psyche. One of the many woes of being a girl I suppose.

Men, on the other hand, do not give this kind of thing another thought. They couldn’t give a shit, dare I say. Nor do they fantasize about their wedding tux, where they might honeymoon, or maintain a shortlist of names for their first born child. It just doesn’t happen people. For men, planning ahead might be as extensive as ironing ones shirt for work the next day. Perhaps determining which UFC fight to PVR or what football game to bet on might sum up a man’s most prominent thoughts more accurately. You don’t often overhear a man say “She did it! She went and got engaged! Can you believe that bitch?” Not likely.

Why do we gals take this so personally? I too have an ex-boyfriend who was recently engaged and I can honestly say I’m thrilled for the little nugget. Do I expect an invite to the wedding? I suspect hell might freeze over before that happens. I will admit, however, a small part of me (the not-so-nice part) might in some way hope his bride-to-be trips whilst strutting down the aisle. Harsh? Maybe. My feminine psyche made me say it.