Appreciate the dialogue here.... a statement of clarification:
this exchange began as part of a larger conversation between a group of my friends (some married, some unmarried, some divorced and remarried). This particular exchange occurred when he emailed me privately about where the exchange was going. So I wasn't pouring my heart out to him randomly but I did and do own what I said. And it's even more clear as to where to place this email exchange: different marital status, different perspective.
Valerie's PM to me reaffirmed the need to focus on me and my stuff (for lack of a better word) and to avoid unproductive conversations. And as I was praying this morning, I thought about how one's pain can be someone else's deliverance...or at least a way to help someone else AVOID such pitfalls so for that, no regrets in sharing this here.
What also has come to mind is the way that the body of Christ presents singleness in the church and maybe one day, a dialogue will begin where singleness will be celebrated and not tolerated by all, regardless of marital status.
Be well.