Bwhaha, Emily you have posted a thread that has garnered quite a bit of attention and controversy.
I myself am gunning for the whole "dating then marrying one person" I'm 21, have always been single my whole life(although have expressed feelings of liking other girls and them to me, but they just didn't quite work out once...i got to know them more lol) and i do not like wrestling or star trek. Star wars is ok, but conventions are not for me. Lol the streotypes in this thread are rediculous.
You want something that is admirable! This whole " if you don't date then you're going to be ignorant in your first relationships which will cause problems," is a lie...kinda. Now that CAN happen, but danggit, if anyone condemns you to failure, then I would call foul on that. if experience in dating was what kept people from making mistakes and getting divorced, then i think the divorce rate would be much lower!! Seriously I flipping hate the pessimism i hear from some people. i think that those who have failed in some aspects of their life, feel like they need to pile that on others and hope that they fail as well to make themselves feel better about their own situation. Now that's cruel, and i probably shouldn't say that, bit that's the vibe i get sometimes.
Now, am i saying that dating others doesn't let people learn things that are beneficial? Absolutly not! You can learn tons of things. However, heres the scoop. I belive if you are good at observing what works and what does not work from other failed relationships, have patience, use Godly wisdom, and learn how to love others as yourself then the chances of you having problems in the one relationship you are seeking will be greatly reduced.
And what is all this crock that you have to date a person before you can REALLY get to know a person? Now, this does happen, but is it always like that? Again, absolutly not!!! i have female friends whom i know on an "intimate" level as far as deep things about them. Things that other don't know about them. Did I have to date them to do that? No, but I was a good friend who had an open ear and a loving heart and loved them as sisters. I obviously have the same with good male friends. You can be friends with someone and still get to know them intimatly information-wise and get to know their character! If anyone says differently then they should work on their communication skills and learn to listen a bit more
Sorry I'm ranting in your thread. It's just that when I see stuff in threads like these from people it just makes me a bit upset as a single myself with similar belifs as yours.
I told a younger girl(14) in my church this about finding the right person .....
"i think somewhere out there, theres a guy who is thinking " man, I am never going to find that right girl who fulfills these things that I want in a mate" And that girl that that guy is looking for could possibly be you! In other words, each unique person has a unique mate( or several people who meet their fancy) that they need. So, until God finds it in His good will to bring you two together, continute to grow and become more wise and loving!"
Something like that. Alright, i talk to much so I'm done ranting lol