I'm not single because I don't like being single. I like to be with someone. I want that someone to be a companion and a lover ... I had 4 'relationships' that lasted just 8 to 10 weeks between the age of 17 and 22, and then was single for 2 years until I met my now DH.
We have been together 29 years now. He's kind. He's funny. He makes me laugh. He does as much round the house as I do. I do gardening. He does cooking. I'll do some of the DIY. He'll do the polishing and hoovering. I clean the bathroom, while he cleans the kitchen. (And he pulled his weight with the childcare!)
We're a perfect fit... It's great having someone to go out for pub lunches with, to pop to the pub with for a beer, to go on day trips with, to go on walks with, to go explore the woodlands with, eat Chinese takeaways with, to laugh at a funny movie with, to snuggle on the sofa with, and to go on beach trips and romantic weekends away with, go on holidays abroad with, etc. I can have sex whenever I feel like it - and am really comfortable with him (and him with me,) and he doesn't judge me whether I'm 9 stone or 14 stone. (Currently somewhere in the middle.)
I can cry my heart out in his arms and not feel stupid and he can do the same with me. We've been through some tough times because of different things that have happened in our lives over the last 29 years, including losing both sets of parents, and job losses, and financial battles. We battled hard financially for some years, and came through the other side, solvent, and comfortable, and with our house paid for.
Raised our children together, and watched them grow through school, through college, and through uni, then meet their partner, move into a rented home together, then buy their own home and get married. We're about to welcome our first grandchild in the middle of September ... And we're all kinds of excited for this new chapter in our life as grandparents!
DH is my soul mate. He's my lover. He's my friend. He's my companion. He's my holiday mate. He's my pub buddy. He's my walking mate. I just wouldn't want anyone else. And if ever he dies before me, not in a million years would I want anybody else to replace him ... I'd be quite happy to live the rest of my life alone.
I wouldn't have wanted to be alone forever, (like perma single/never in a long term relationship,) but would be OK with it if DH dies. At least I would have had 30 years plus of being with someone.
I just can't actually imagine being permanently alone forever, and never having had a relationship.. Being in a relationship for 20 or 30 years or more and then being single? Yes, fine. But being single all your life from the very beginning. No ... I just think that would be a very lonely existence, (long term.)
I doubt if it was the OP's intention when she started this thread, but it's SO refreshing to see a thread where married people/people in long term relationships can wax lyrical, and tell everyone why they are NOT single, and why they are so happy NOT single. I get so sick and tired of all the threads that celebrate being single, and berate being married, and quote that stupid nonsensical poll done by interviewing a tiny fraction of women, that stated single childless women are the happiest demographic.
Utter rot. I have never known any woman - or man for that matter, who would be happy to be single forever. I mean never EVER in a relationship. I have seen and known of far too many women wanting desperately to find a man to settle down with, to believe that bullshine! (And plenty of lonely single men looking desperately for a woman too!)
In fact there have been a number of studies and polls since, that show that particular 'single, childless women are the happiest demographic' claim to be rubbish!