Honestly? I’d Date Me

I saw a girl the other day post about being 27, single, and never having had a real relationship.

She wasn’t crying or complaining. She was just… telling the truth. And I don’t know what it was—her voice, the timing, the way she said “situationships don’t count”—but I felt this ache in my chest like she had cracked open a part of me I’ve been trying to romanticize my way around for years.

I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere between my early twenties and now, I became the queen of the almosts. The almost boyfriend. The almost good timing. The almost “I think I like you but I’m not ready for something serious right now.” (That one deserves a plaque.)

I’ve never been in a serious relationship. Not because I didn’t want to be. But because, somehow, the timing never worked. Or the person didn’t. Or I didn’t. And I’ve spent a long time wondering what that says about me. If I’m too independent. Too tall. Too intimidating. Too much of a dreamer. Too much something.

So, I started this Substack.

Not because I have it all figured out. But because I don’t. And maybe you don’t either.

This is for the girls living in the waiting (and are honestly over it).

For the ones who screenshot texts and send them to their best friends with “am I overthinking this?” even when they know the answer.

For the tall girls who have heard “Are you really 6’4?” and somehow didn’t walk away then and there.

For the romantics who still believe in real love, even if they’ve only ever known the ghost of it.

I don’t know where this goes. I don’t have a boyfriend reveal coming next week. But I do have stories. Thoughts. Late-night journal entries that accidentally turned into essays. Text messages that ruined my day (but I got over it). And a whole lot of hope.

If any of that sounds like your kind of thing, you’re in the right place.

We’re gonna be raw, romantic, tired, and taller than most.

Together we’re just waiting for a plot twist. 

xx Berkeley 🖤

P.S. I have way too many thoughts and honestly no idea where to start — so tell me what you want to read about here. What kind of dating stories hit home for you? I'll read every reply.

P.P.S. I’m launching an IG channel soon for the group chat vibes — funny screenshots, texts that sent me spiraling, and all the little moments we don’t post about but definitely talk about. You can find that on my Instagram: [@berkeleydawn12].

P.P.P.S. Subscribe to this Substack if you want in on the mess, the magic, and the tea. And if you have a friend who’s tall, single, or just really good at screenshotting texts — send this to them. I want to hear their stories too.