It actually happened. I, Ellise Verheyen, was a seventh wheel.

I know I’ve joked about it before, but other than prom, it hasn’t been a reality. I usually have a buffer, or one other friend that was not canoodling with their significant other. This time, I was alone.

Now don’t misunderstand, I had a great time. I was surrounded with friends, chilling on a futon and watching “Anastasia.” I mean, how could it possibly get much better?

But one thing was off. They were coupled, while I was snuggling a pillow that I’d mentally established as my boyfriend pillow.

To be honest, I was only a seventh wheel for a fleeting moment. The third couple was really only there for 15 minutes, but still. Being a fifth wheel is pretty awkward, too.

If, by the good grace of God, you’ve managed to avoid being a wheel, let me paint a picture for you. I was picked up Saturday night by two of my best friends, who just so happened to be returning from their first date.

I hopped in the car, and they told me the good news. They were in a relationship. I was thrilled because I had been “shipping” (a term referring to one’s desire for two people outside himself or herself to be in a relationship) them hardcore.

We quickly established that I was the designated third wheel and an essential piece to the relationship. I was flattered and honored to have such a title.

Once we arrived at our destination on East Campus, we piled out of the car and headed for the living room where we would be watching “Anastasia” with a few friends.

I’d been expecting several people to partake in the showing of this extremely underrated Fox animation, only to discover that all the singles were either busy or out of town. So there I was, sitting on a futon surrounded by couples.

They were all kinds of cute — snuggling, tickle fights, etc. I’m a big fan of my friends’ relationships, but it was really hard to enjoy my movie and six packets of Easter Swedish Fish while there was so much love going on.

I came to the realization that the vast majority of my close friends were suddenly in relationships. What the heck? I started to mentally count. One, two, seven, 12, 17!

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE IN RELATIONSHIPS.

When did this happen?! When did I become the only single friend?

You know, before I started writing about relationships on a weekly basis, I NEVER thought about them. Up until this semester, boys still had cooties. But now the thought of dating and having a beau of my own haunts me.

We’ve already established that I’d have no idea what I was doing if I were to be in a relationship. I mean, yeah, I like people and there are definitely one or two guys I’d love to get to know better, but I’m so clueless. Seriously, guys, so clueless.

So the evening as a wheel continued. We laughed, we (I) cried, we went to McDonald’s and we ended the night on a happy note. But it left me with an empty feeling.

After being a seventh wheel over the weekend, I decided that it’s time to start being more assertive. I can’t live like this forever, right? At some point, we all have to overcome our fears, mine being the opposite sex.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to just start dating willy-nilly. I’ll have to find someone that is good for me. Someone I can talk to about anything, someone who shares similar interests, someone who would rather go on an adventure than to a fancy restaurant, someone who shares the same ideals and faith. I feel like far too often, the youth of this day and age date just to date. They are in the relationship for the fun, not the love.

Geez, that sounds cheesy. Obviously this is a time in everyone’s life to explore and discover themselves, but something to always consider is self-respect and happiness. Being in a relationship can be great, but it’s much more than having someone to snuggle. It’s about having someone in your life that will make you a better you.