Dating for Marriage

        "Dating for a lifelong marriage" seems like a strange saying to me because all my life I have been around people who have dated just for the fun of it but the older I get the more mature I get in the whole dating world I understand that saying a lot more. I'm learning a lot about myself here in AR and what better place then here.  I have been through a lot of growth these past 2 years and I've noticed what I want and can handle.
          People these days might think I'm crazy for dating for marriage but what better way to do it then just that. I got to thinking about it because God has put my in situations with friends that complain about their boyfriend or a guy that they like. Saying things like "why won't they like me back?, why did I put myself through the pain?", and so on. I'll be honest, I'm not perfect at all, but I do have a guy friend that comes to mind and I remember how blessed I am to have him in my life whether I get to see him or not a lot. He is a friend that has encouraged me through so much wand he doesn't even know it.
           I've heard girls say, "there are just no prefect guy out there these days. What has happened to them all? They don't think there are girls out there like us." I can't help but think about God first and forwards. You all are looking in the wrong areas and then how God has led me to the guy friends I have in my life now. No guy is prefect just like no guy is perfect but when you focus on God no guy should be prefect or be able to please you because God will ever, only, be the One that can fill your heart's desire.
           Back to the whole dating for marriage thing. Just hearing the other girls I am around complaining about their relationship status gets me thinking, "how can they handle that?" I'll be honest and if guys read this I'm okay with them knowing. I'm already messed up and heartbroken and hard on myself like no other person is. I don't need a few guys to dump me to tell me that. I don't need any guys to be hard on me and mean to me because if I need that to push me I'll do that myself. I need a guy who encourages me and cares about how I feel and even though this is a cliché "that will treat me like a princess that I am".
           I don't think I could make it through one break up "just for the fun of it" or "high school style". People have pushed me into "finding a guy" and "getting out there to look for one". Yes, I realize God won't just drop one through my roof but I'm not that desperate either. I love the relationship that I have with God. Nothing could ever replace that. If it is God's Will and my heart's desire, it will happen someday. I will say through that I don't want to call it dating. I want it to go from friendship to a serious friendship. If that makes sense at all.
            I am the oldest 20 somethings at some places that I spend my time and to hear stories of break ups that others go through just kills me inside. I never went through those break ups and here I am 27 years old and not ashamed of it. I just know that I could not let the break ups go if I ever had any because I'm a person sadly who holds on to things and memories for a long time. I would never have a chance to marry if I did "date just for fun". Too much drama for me.
           To some of you, this might be a strange entry but this is where I stand and I'm learning that this late in life. God has a reason for me to wait and it is because He knows me better then I know myself. I can't handle anything else. I would rather be alone and do things for Him and me without a worry then thinking "what ifs" about all the guys that I have dated if I dated for the fun of it. Those "what ifs" can get you in a down spot for a very long time even from ones you have had crushes on but those probably don't last as long.
            I'm going to say a cliche "it is really better to date for marriage then just for the fun of it". God has your back on everything. You are never alone when you have a relationship with God. Get into His Word and Pray to Him when you feel lonely and like you are no good because He will turn that point of view totally around to you being His Princess.