Ever Been Alone?

I realized today, as I lounged in my lukewarm bath, that I have never been alone (as in single, REALLY single) since my first real kiss at the age of 16. SIXTEEN! Now, there have been periods when I wasn't with a "boyfriend," and in the past, I've always considered those times as the moments when I was on my own. Alone. Doing the single thing.

But I thought today, wait, does it count as single if there's always a guy around? I mean, I always had a flirtation, someone who wanted me, or who I wanted, in between the boyfriends. Now, I didn't sleep with all of them, some I did. In the end though, I have never, ever been without.

Now, I realize that some people would like to have this problem, if that's what it is. I know what you must be thinking, how sad, a girl with too many options, gee, tough life. Really, though, what does it say about me? I always love the times when I'm not in a committed relationship just as much as when I'm in one, and when I don't have a boyfriend, I never feel pressure to go out and find one. In reality, I've hurt more guys than have hurt me.

I don't have a Daddy-complex to speak of, my father was always around, supportive and loving, never abusive. I don't have low self-esteem. What is it then? Why the continual dating?

Or perhaps, I just enjoy guys, and have been told by society that "being single" is critical. Maybe society tells me that because of the vestiges of the feminist movement that want women to be independent. After all, I've never been supported by a guy. I've never had a man pay for any of my expenses or buy me things I couldn't afford for myself. I've never moved in with a boyfriend.

... Which is the right "answer"?