Relationships Archives - Mandy Hale - Just a single girl with a story to tell

14 Reasons to Celebrate Your Singleness This Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2016147 CommentsMandy Hale

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and few things send single women running for the Ben & Jerry’s faster than the thought of spending another February 14th alone. From the obnoxious singling gorillas in silk boxers (I mean, c’mon…what self-respecting man (or ape) still wears silk boxers?!?) that assault our ears at Walgreens to the obnoxious “I love my hubby soooooooo much!” posts that wage war on our Facebook feeds…let’s face it: Valentine’s Day is not … » Read More

If An Ex Pokes You on Facebook and You Don’t Respond, Did Anything Actually Happen?

February 5, 201681 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book Beautiful Uncertainty, in stores now.

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog have introduced to my long-suffering, on-again, off-again ex, Mr. E. And I’m sure you likely have your own long-suffering, on-again, off-again ex, like Carrie’s “Mr. Big” in Sex & the City. This is what happened when mine reappeared in my life again after two years of silence.

Even though I hesitate to give him … » Read More

What (Most) Women Really Want

February 2, 2016356 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book, Beautiful Uncertainty, in stores now.

In my humble opinion…it’s not a big mystery.

We want to be pursued. Not endlessly asked to “hang out.” (And especially not asked to “hang out” at 3:00 am.) We don’t want to be treated like “one of the guys.” We want to be your LADY. And we want to be treated like it. We want a little time invested into the plans. … » Read More

The Five Guys Most Girls Will Love at Some Point in Their Life

January 27, 2016267 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book Beautiful Uncertainty.

1) The First Love. Also commonly known as “The High School Sweetheart.” This boy is the Kevin to your Winnie. The Cory to your Topanga. The Dawson to your Joey. Sweet, innocent, idealistic…this is the stuff coming-of-age movies are made of. The First Love is probably the first boy you’ll ever kiss. (Or at least the first one you’ll kiss and feel the earth move.) … » Read More

It Should Kill You, But It Doesn’t.

January 18, 2016180 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book Beautiful Uncertainty.

It should kill you, being told you’re not loved.

It should kill you but it doesn’t.

It feels like it’s going to.

In the silence, after words like that drop their weight onto your heart…all you can do is struggle to draw a breath and pray that life will somehow magically rewind to the moment before the person you loved and trusted most in the world said them … » Read More

Love is Messy

May 6, 20159 CommentsMandy Hale

I was reading this well-known and beloved quote from The Velveteen Rabbit today that popped up in my Timehop and something occurred to me that I’m not sure has ever occurred to me before.

Love is messy.

We always talk about life being messy, and it is. But love…LOVE…real love, true love, life-changing love…is impolite. It’s untamed. It’s not always pretty. It knows no boundaries and lives by no rules.

Love is messy.

Look no further than a grandmother’s … » Read More

Day 19: Life is Not a Movie

February 23, 201567 CommentsMandy Hale

Today feels like a good day to pick up my 30-Day Blogging Challenge where I last left it. I promise I’m going to finish this thing one of these days, you guys!!!

Okay, so here is today’s question…

What is something about you that people would be surprised to learn?

I think something about me that people would be surprised to learn is that I don’t think I was ever in love with Mr. E.

For those of you … » Read More

Ten Lessons You Learn in Your 30’s

December 29, 201429 CommentsMandy Hale

As most of you know, 2014 saw the release of my second book, I’ve Never Been to Vegas But My Luggage Has…which is essentially my life story.

As much as I love my first book, The Single Woman, (and I do love that book, with all my heart) #NeverBeenToVegas is and will always be particularly special to me. It is essentially my heart, my LIFE…poured out on pages for the world to see. And I never dreamed … » Read More

Advent. Waiting. And Singleness.

December 8, 201486 CommentsMandy Hale

I’ve been trying to come up with a fun “single” twist on Advent season for the past week and I haven’t had much luck. The truth is, it can be easy as a single woman to feel a bit alienated from the mainstream Christmas traditions and books and such, as they are mostly family-oriented in nature and often serve to remind us singles that we don’t yet have a family. We shop for Christmas presents … » Read More

Thankful For What I Have…Thankful For What I’ve Escaped

November 20, 201425 CommentsMandy Hale

I am nearing the end of my One Thousand Gifts Devotional by Ann Voskamp. It holds 60 devotionals, and I’ve read through them slowly, savoring each one, because Ann’s writing is like poetry and I never want the book to end. And yet, here we are at the end. I have one more to read tomorrow and then I’m done.

There’s a place in the back of the devotional to list your own gifts. One to … » Read More