Elizabeth: How I Know This One's a Keeper

05/26/08 1:31 PM

The Big Reveal

Okay, ladies. It's my last official "Single & Fierce" blog (sniffle). Instead of getting all mushy-gushy with blubbering goodbyes, I have an announcement to make:

I'm off the market.

Yep. I did it. The Graduate is my boyfriend. I've officially thrown in the "I'm lookin' to land a man" towel. The boy is mine--mine all mine. So, seeing as how I'm no longer single (but still oh-so fierce), it's fitting that this blog o' love has met its timely end. This may be buh-bye for us, dahlings. But I'd hate to leave you with a cliffhanger.

Instead, I've compiled a super-sugary list I've lovingly dubbed "How I know this one's a keeper." This way, even when I'm gone, you can rest assured that I'm off somewhere doing roll-your-eyes, cute-as-cupcakes things with The Graduate, the boy I love. (That's right, secret's out. Totally, sickeningly, maddeningly in love.) Without further ado, the list:

Pet Names

I had a dog. Ollie was the most awesomely perfect, super-duper pup ever to pee all over my awesomely perfect condo. When my ex made himself scarce, the pooch started acting out--all over my carpet. It's my firm belief that pets, like real-life kiddos, need a mommy and a daddy. Ollie was the product of a broken home. Even the Dog Whisperer couldn't have scared him straight. So I pawned him off on Craigslist. (Bad, I know. But I have no tolerance for overactive bladders.)

So I vowed to never raise a pet on my own again. Enter The Graduate. We're buying a fish tonight. Sure, it's a baby step--but it's a step nonetheless. We're sharing the responsibility of caring for another living thing. He's already got three orange swimmers of the pet variety, and we've made a joint decision to extend the family. In my book, that's serious mileage on the road to coupledom.

Two Tickets to Paradise

Okay, so New Orleans isn't exactly paradise given the fact that its diehard dwellers are still working to rebuild and sort through the rubble. But there are still plenty of uber-yummy drinks to be had on Bourbon Street. (They're red and fruity, what's not to love?) So The Graduate and I are going to let the good times roll as we road-trip it there this summer. (P.S. I plan on avoiding any and all desires to flash strange men for beads. Trading dignity for a stupid necklace? No thanks.

Anyway, I digress. The Graduate and I are crashing at his brother's house. Meeting the fam? Serious step. Which is a convenient transition to this weekend's social calendar.

Setting the Table

Picture me a few short days from now, carrying a bottle of wine and doing my best impersonation of the sweet, impressive girlfriend. The Graduate's lugging me along to Sunday dinner at his dad's. I'll be wearing the only sans-cleavage dress I could drum up--the one that screams, "Look at me, I'm stylish yet non-slutty!" The kind of girl who doesn't ooze pole-dancing charm.

I'm even baking a dessert in hopes that they'll think I'm thoughtful and domestically inclined. I'll be on my best behavior. And hopefully I'll be convincing in my role as Betty-Crocker-meets-super-smart-virginal cutie. Wish me luck!

Goodbye, Lovers.

Well, that's it for me, loves. I'm signing off, but I'm leaving you with a parting gift: I'm revealing The Graduate's identity. That's him, smooching me in the photo. Cute, huh?

So, thanks to Will, the man formerly known as The Graduate. He has been good-humored and supportive enough to let me use our between-the-sheets moments and all of our firsts--first date, first kiss, first fight about the so-called "blanky"--as blog fodder for Tyra fans to coo/laugh/cringe over each week.

And thanks to you, lovelies, for trudging along with me as I tripped over my own dating inadequacies, hang-ups and "he just kissed me" moments of tingling bliss. The dating world is such a happy, tragic, angst-filled mess, but I can't think of a better mess to be in. Happy dating, ladies.

Love you, mean it,
Elizabeth

next: A Shocking Look Inside High Schools

Comments (15) | Post a comment now »

Recently my husband and I split up after being married for 2 years. He is already going out and trying to see other girls to make me jealous or mad. It is working... it is really breaking my heart. We have a 7 month old son together and I feel like he is going to find another woman and my son will try to call her mom. I don't want that to happen... i'm his mommy. Maybe that's the reason I won't date again for awhile. I don't want my son to be confused. I want him to know who his dad and mom are... nobody else. How do I get it through my (ex) husband's head that he is not only hurting me but he is hurting our son more.

Posted by Ashley 08/30/08 12:32 PM

I THOUGHT I saw a sparkler on that all-important finger!! Logged onto the site to see if I could find it again!! Then went onto the blogs, and HERE IT IS!!!
You are SO cute, So real, and such fun, I can't believe you haven't picked a man before this, but I am so happy for you!!! WHAT a lucky guy!!! I hope he's everything you ever hoped for, you deserve it!! My two "don't miss" shows are yours, EVERYDAY, and Montel. most of the time.
You are just so delightful, and don't have a swelled head about it. Oprah, Schmopra. Miss High and Mighty can't hold a candle to you! (NOR can Ellen..(Get real!!)
I just had to write for this first time because I am really glad for you, and no, Im' NOT a teenager!! (That was about 20+ years ago!)
Now you can work on making that beautiful Tyra Jr!.. (The working on it is 1/2 the fun!!)
Congrats again! You're the best!! BC

Posted by Barb C. 05/27/08 5:14 PM

hey girl love your show i watch it everyday i have a problem i want a boyfriend but all i seem to attract are cheaters or jerks i cant find a good one maybe its the way i look or its hard to find a guy my hieght to cause im 6,1 can you help

Posted by megan 05/27/08 9:56 AM

hi tyra,im your big fan here in the philippines.you're really such an inspiration.hope i can see you in person!!!!!

Posted by celina 05/26/08 11:21 PM

About a month or two ago you had a female guest on who was a grown woman feeling the need to still have the parents she never had as a child{not the same parents- a better role model set
of parents}
Being age 47 myself-I never had a dad and my mom was depressed,mean,unaffectionate,and unsympathetic as to our very poor situation-she never worked but was too proud for wellfare,we were the lowest of lows in a poor,violent neighborhood,lots of things happened to me as a chold she doesn't know about and the things I did tell her just made her mad at me instead.
She is 88 now-has never changed,has never called me,hugged me ,or told me she loves me-and I think she sends holiday cards out of oblagation and maybe guilt but I'm not even sure about the guilt thing.
I've been through years of couseling,know myself better-moved away from that state to another state
when I was 19,I married and finally had the step parents that I thought of as the best. After the divorce 18 yrs ago, I have never had that kind of relationship,and still feel the need the be loved by a couple that would like to extend their love -perhaps to a couple that never had kids{I never did] or a couple experiencing the empty nest syndrome.
Anyway, this guest you had on said she had a web site for people like me{I'm 47 yr old women]
Could you lead me to this guest and her website,

Thankyou, K. B.

Posted by karen 05/26/08 1:44 PM

go to hell

Posted by Anonymous 05/26/08 10:23 AM

HI TYRA I LOVE YOUR SHOW YOURE DOING A GREAT JOB GIVING US YOUNG WOMAN SELESTEEM,BUT I HAVE A BROBLEM WITH MY TEETH THEY ARE BAD SHAPED AND THEY MAKE ME TO WOORY ABOUT MY LOOKS AND PEOPLE LAUGH AT ME WHEN I OPEN MY MOUTH,I CANT EVEN GET A JOB NOT BECAUSE OF LACK OF EDUCATION BUT MY TEETH PLEASE HELP.I LOVE YOU.FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Posted by mpho 05/26/08 7:23 AM

Posted by mpho 05/26/08 7:21 AM

Ey tyra! Great show i enjoi it. Would it be possible for you to have a show on how to know wen ur relationship is not the same no more thanks

Posted by Carla 05/26/08 3:16 AM

Hi girlfriend im ur biggest fan,girl i like your persanality,your show is da bomb, i like the fact that it's focused on weman.

Posted by motshidisi 05/26/08 2:05 AM

hi tyra i'm a big fan, but the reason for me to talk to you is i saw your show when you helped these ladyies out b cause they do so much for other people. so i thought you might be able to help my mom and dad. they do so much for everybody the see and meet and don't have time to themselves. so i thought you might be able to help. i'm 17teen and i have 8 sibleings so theres not much time to do anything for them. can you help please they deserve it. thanx kayla you can email me @ you_race_me@yahoo.com

Posted by kayla 05/24/08 6:39 PM

Aaaaww...thanks, Ellena and Beverley! I may check in every once in a while with a lovey-dovey blog update. I don't think I can give it up cold turkey. :)

Take care, girlies!

Posted by Elizabeth 05/24/08 10:50 AM

Well done good for you sweetheart you deserve it...

Posted by Beverley Hooper 05/24/08 5:15 AM

My wife does not like u. Maybe you can have a show about people that do not like you. Are u up for thr challenge? Maybe you can change how she feels about u. Watch and see

Posted by Julian Washington 05/24/08 4:01 AM

NOOOOOOOOOO! I am happy you've found love, but I'll miss your witty blogs! Best of luck with the new boy!

Posted by ellena 05/23/08 9:41 PM