I’d Rather Wait Than Be The One That Got Away

I saw a TikTok video that said, “Men don’t marry the right girl; they marry the one who’s in front of them when they’re ready to settle down.” I’ve heard this quote a few times before, but something about it resonated with me this time.

We all know men tend to take a little longer to mature than women. I don’t know what it is, but it’s how it goes. Growing up with two brothers, I’ve come to understand that I can’t change this—it’s just a fact.

So when it comes to relationships, it makes sense that for a while, most guys (not all, but most) are just… not that great at things.
They do dumb stuff, like forgetting important dates, say dumb things, like not expressing their feelings clearly, and sometimes make poor decisions, like not prioritizing the relationship. It’s not that they’re bad people; they’re just not always capable of handling the relationship they’re in. And that means they could have an amazing person right before them, but they let her go because they’re not ready. But once she’s gone, that’s it—she’s not coming back.

And that’s when the guy realizes what he’s lost. He starts dating around, figures his stuff out, and then realizes he’s ready to settle down. But by then, the girl he wasn’t prepared for had already moved on to someone else—someone who was ready for her from the start. It’s sad when you think about it. So many couples have been together for years, and you can’t help but wonder: are they with the person they truly wanted to be with, or are they just with someone they settled for, all because they weren’t ready when the right person came along?

I can’t say I’ve had tons of experience in love.
I’ve had dates, flings, and situationships, which are relationships that are not clearly defined or committed. But nothing serious. I used to think it was some sort of curse for a while. But now, I look back and think, “Is it really a curse to wait for the right person to show up? Do I want to be with someone who isn’t ready for me when I’m ready for them? Or should I focus on living my life and letting things happen when they’re meant to?” I’d rather wait.

I firmly believe that when you focus on becoming the best version of yourself, that’s when you’ll attract the one person for you. Why wouldn’t you want the person you end up with to be the best version of themselves, too? More than that, why wouldn’t you want them to be sure they want to be with you? Not because you’re convenient, but because they truly see you as the one they want?

I’d rather have a man take his time getting to know me, understanding what he really wants, and making sure he’s ready to commit than rush into a relationship for the sake of having one. I’d rather wait and have the relationship I want when the timing is right than settle for someone who isn’t on the same page.
I used to hate the idea of waiting for something to happen. It felt like I wasted time, making the whole process frustrating. But now, I see it differently. Waiting isn’t about being passive or just letting life pass you by. It’s about allowing things to unfold as they’re meant to. Life has its own timing; sometimes, what you think is taking forever is just life working behind the scenes to ensure that the right person comes into your life when you’re both ready.

I’ve been eyeing someone for a while now, and I used to be upset that we’ve known each other for so long but haven’t gotten together yet.
Now, I realize that things didn’t happen sooner because we weren’t ready for each other. Looking back, I think we would have broken each other if we had been together earlier. But now, it’s starting to feel like we’re finally on the same page. We’re both figuring ourselves out, understanding what we want, and taking things at a natural pace. There’s no rush, no pressure—just letting things grow into something real and meaningful.

It’s reassuring to know that, even if it’s not happening as fast as I might have hoped, the process is happening in the right way. Instead of rushing or forcing anything, I’d rather let things unfold naturally. If he’s meant to realize I’m the one, he will, and it’ll happen when it’s supposed to. I’d much rather be the one who’s truly aligned with the right person and let it take some time than settle for something that isn’t where it should be.

So, while I’m taking my time and letting life work out as it’s supposed to, I’m grateful for the lessons I’m learning along the way. I’d rather wait for the right person to show up when they’re ready than be with someone unprepared for the kind of relationship I want.

And, honestly, I’m excited for what’s to come. I’m letting things happen at their own pace. And I trust that when the time is right, I’ll be exactly where I’m supposed to be.