Lonely in Pittsburgh

I'm a Pittsburgh Lifer. Big proponent of the city, an advocate for the Northside. I consider myself a goodwill ambassador to the out of towners. For years I've been touring people around the city, showing them favorite spots and introducing them to colorful Pittsburgh characters. I also tend to sell the area to prospective homeowners, enumerating the pros and cons of being a city dweller. For me the pros have always outweighed the cons, but recently there's just been something missing. Or someone. It is not often I meet someone I would consider spending every single day with. A few weeks ago, I met that person. In from England for a few months, he came to Banjo Club at the Elks with a friend of mine. Of course, in typical Miss Allegheny fashion, I toured him and his friend through the Northside with the able assistance of my best friend, extolling the virtues of Randyland and Troy Hill cemeteries. We spent nearly every day together after that. For some strange reason, Pittsburgh was more beautiful than ever on those days. Suddenly the skyline was more enchanting, the smell of bus exhaust intoxicating and even the homeless men on the park benches and toothless women on the buses seemed to have a special glow. For two weeks this city was the best place on earth. Unfortunately reality gave me a swift kick in the ass. He had to return to England and I had to stay here. True to form I surprised my guy with a private DUKW boat ride. But I didn't give Pittsburgh a hard sell, didn't really give him much of a tour. We just sat together and smiled. I couldn't bring myself to tell him all the great things about Pittsburgh because I knew he couldn't stay. And when he did leave the following day, Pittsburgh suddenly seemed a much darker, lonelier place. A friend recently told me Pittsburgh had been named the loneliest city. I don't know if it's true (I haven't found any information suggesting it), but it feels true. Which is why I am going to England next month. OH SNAP.