Is love worth the wait or is temporary company worth the trouble? This is a question that I ask myself whenever I receive an invite for empty attachment that I know will lead to a dead end. There's this part of me that still believes that there is someone for everyone, that when we were created there was a mate planned for us. I am a realist so I understand that not everyone will live happily ever after. My theory, it's a case of bad timing, meeting the love of your life at a bad point in your life and either not realizing it or messing it up because you weren't ready. Let's be real, in 2016 relationships are not tailored the way that they used to be. I was speaking to a young woman who is turning out to be a wonderful friend, our conversation was on the value of relationships when our aunties, grandparents and possibly even parents dated compared to what dating is like now. Dating in my generation has turned into a lifetime of "talking." Not meaningful talking that actually allows you to get to know the other person but a non characterized limbo where faithfulness is practiced by one party but usually not both. A lack of commitment and the ability to bail at any given point because boundaries were never established. A realm of low self esteem and lack of self respect. I'm old school, that doesn't work for me. Then there is the relationship that is a disaster but continues because let's face it who really wants to be single in their late 20's or 30's. Every day I am faced with engagement announcments, wedding photos, "we're pregnant' announcemts. To be in a relationship is the new thing. In a community of people trying "to live right" relationships go from we just met to we are married in 0-100. That doesn't work for me either. Rome wasn't built in a day and I feel there are stages of relationships and it can't be rushed. If you are going to spend the rest of your life with someone what's the rush. But how do you manage the in between stage. The "I am single" phase. When you are proposed with "Netflix and Chill" what do you do? Do you give in to temporary satisfaction or do you wait. Do you continue to add bruises to your heart  by giving it to the wrong candidate or strengthen it by loving yourself and trusting in your destiny. It is so easy to make the wrong decision, to enjoy life, in the moment and think about the consequences later. Let's face it, how many relationships have you had that you knew would end up a disaster yet you allowed it to happen anyway. Sometimes actually allowing yourself to give your heart to the person. I haven't always made the best decision, who has. But at the stage where I am in my life, I now choose to wait. My friendzone has grown immensely. The friendzone is the first stop on the train for everyone and the right man at the right time will make his way out.  I must admit it is extremely difficult but Love is worth the wait. God has provided every need in my life so why would I doubt him with my heart. Honestly I feel that this is the biggest test of my personal faith. I choose to wait. I choose to continue to strengthen my heart and establish my personal foundation until it happens. The next phase of my story begins.

-Ordinary Girl