Can I just say how incredibly lucky I feel to have found that one person meant for me in this world? I truly believe in soul mates that are handpicked by God. Sometimes lust and love get confused and we fall for someone who isn’t meant to be around for the long-haul. Sure they’re fun and you enjoy being with them, but they usually aren’t the type to stick out the storms that we weather throughout life.

I met a couple guys that I could have made a life with, but I strongly question whether they would have stuck with me over the past couple of years and I now know what I had with them wasn’t unconditional love.

There was a time in college when all my friends were either engaged or in a serious relationship. I was in serious drought mode for a few years, but I had a few really bad dates that I’m thankful for. Those bad dates made me realize the importance of waiting for the right person to come along and not to settle just to be satisfied.

First, there was the blind double date with my cousin Stephanie. She promised me that he was as tall as I was (5′10). Guess what? He wasn’t even close! That started the evening out on a bad note. We saw a movie and the guy needed a booster seat to see, so we sat near the very front.

We went to dinner afterwards where everyone but me was over 21 and could drink, so I was the designated driver. After a few beers this date proceeded to tell a horrific story of a dog that was barking on his property one night. He claims he shot the dog, cooked the meat and ate it. The story coincided with our steaks arriving at the table. Dinner was then over in my books.

Over Christmas break one semester my loving father set me up with some client’s son who was in town for the holidays. I only agreed to this blind date because the guy was in medical school. I’m shallow I know. It had its awkward moments and the conversation was pretty light until he asked if I’d read any good books lately.

My response was that the last book I read was “The Great Gatsby” in high school because I couldn’t find the Cliff Notes. Well that set this scholar into hysterics.

I can’t imagine how red my face was as the other people dining around us were looking, while he ranted about plagiarism and lectured me on taking the easy way out. Dinner ended a little early that night, as did the date.

You’d think I’d learn my lesson, but I let a friend set me up with a guy she knew who was involved in a youth ministry program at college. I figured this guy should be harmless, but I over-estimated the power of Jesus. When he picked me up in the lobby of my dorm the first words out of his mouth were, “Look, I know I’m hot and by the end of the night you’ll be lusting after me, but I’m saving myself for marriage. So hands off.”

I kid you not. He came out waving his freak flag with both hands.

That was the end of my blind dates. I figured a life of celibacy was far better than the guys I’d encountered. Thankfully being patient paid off in many, many ways.