Yes, that’s me. The “Forever Alone” girl. Like the original poster of “Shy & Quiet,” I am, well, shy and quiet. The root of that is my social awkwardness–and the root of that would be my Asperger’s.

My use of the meme is not unintentional. I absolutely meant to use it this way for two reasons: 1) my social awkwardness has literally kept me single my whole life, and 2) because I want to be lighthearted about it.

Everything I’ve written here is true. I’m almost nineteen. I’ve been to college, studied abroad. I’ve come out as a bisexual atheist, even to my family. I’ve learned a second language. I’ve even gotten drunk and stoned before. But in possible contradiction to all that, I’ve never been in a real relationship. Never had sex. Never been kissed.

It goes in an endless, viscous cycle for me, I guess. My social awkwardness has forced me into celibacy, and my virginity embarrasses me to the point where I’m incredibly awkward when people try to proposition me, even for a friendly date. I’ve really only “fallen in love” once in my life, and I stupidly let him break my heart twice.

Long story short, I am awkward as a three-legged duck with a speech impediment, with very little experience in the romance area.

But you know what? I don’t give a damn anymore. Why should I? Why should I give a good goddamn about how other people perceive me? Why should I let my relationship history define me? The fact is, it damn well does not define me, and neither should it define any of you. Yes, I’ve also known the betrayal of friendship–who hasn’t? But you know the silver lining? I now know who my real friends are, and they’re friends who don’t judge me just because I’m a dateless loser. Haha!

What’s more, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Tumblr, it’s that we are “Forever Alone”… together. You are not the only one going through this, I swear! Someday, you’ll meet someone awkward like you in real life. And you’ll fall in love with each other. No one is actually "forever alone.“

Never been kissed? Laugh it off. Be ”(Not) Forever Alone" like me. It’s a club! We’re getting jackets soon, and on the back, it’ll have the famous “Forever Alone” face with the caption, “Too Cool 4 U!!11” It’ll be hilarious!

I love myself now. I love my awkward hair, my skin that turns to the color of a cooked lobster in the summer, the belly that’s bothered me forever. I not only love being bi, but I’m downright proud to be the way I am.

To be a part of this project, check out Stop Hating Your Body.

And if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you. http://sanityscraps.tumblr.com. You’re beautiful.