My best friend just got engaged, and I am genuinely happy for her. But...

Dear Uncle Gary,

My best friend just got engaged, and I am genuinely happy for her. But every time I hear her talk about the wedding, I feel this weird mix of joy and jealousy. I am single, I have not been on a real date in over a year, and I keep wondering if something is wrong with me. I do not want to be bitter, but I also do not want to pretend I am not struggling.

How do I show up for her without losing myself in the process?

Signed, Third Wheel with a Smile.

Dear Third Wheel with a Smile,

You are not wrong for feeling what you feel. You are not bitter. You are not broken. You are human.

Your best friend is stepping into a new chapter, and you are standing on the sidelines with a smile that is starting to feel heavy. That does not make you a bad friend. That makes you honest.

You are allowed to celebrate her joy and still feel the sting of your own longing. You are allowed to cheer for her and still wonder when someone will cheer for you. That ache is not jealousy. It is hope that has not found its match yet.

So how do you show up without losing yourself in the process

You stay present. You stay kind. You let yourself feel the full range of emotions without shame. You do not have to fake enthusiasm. You do not have to pretend you are fine. You just have to be real.

And when someone asks why you are still single, you can smile and say, I am waiting for someone who sees me the way I see myself.

You are not behind. You are not less than. You are simply in your own season. And it is still unfolding.

Best Regards, Uncle Gary