I am 23 years old, and I have this guy friend who really likes me. The trouble is, I'm not sure I have the same feelings for him. I've known him for years now, so I'm pretty sure my feelings for him won't change, even though he is my only "prospect" at the moment. I really want to get married now, as pretty much everyone I know between the ages of 18-25 is either married or engaged. I haven't had that many relationships...I just get flirted with a lot (people tell me I'm very attractive, despite my lack of relationship experience...shyness is more my problem). My question is, given this information, should I settle for my guy friend, or wait till the "right" guy comes along, even if it means waiting till I'm 30 or so to get married for the first time? I'm afraid that if I do settle for him, I'll later meet someone I'm crazy about and regret it big-time (like, after we're married), but I'm also afraid that if I don't settle for him, then I may never get married. Help!

I don't mean to be rude but it sounds as if you need to grow up before you do anything. Do you realize what you're saying? You're considering dating your friend just because noone else is there for you and your even talking about you two getting married and you later finding the "right" person. You don't get married out of convience just because you want to be married and you don't "settle" for someone. You get married when you find the right person that you love and plan on being w/ for eternity. You sound like your still in Highschool. There's nothing wrong w/ exploring your relatinship w/ this guy but don't do it just because you don't want to be alone. Give the poor guy a break he deserves more. You will eventually find the right person if you allow yourself to find the right person. I have a feeling you'd marry the first guy that asked you to just cuz you want to be married by the time you're 30. BTW....just out of curiosity, how many times do you plan on being married anyway??

Hellow 4leaf, Ive just ended my second marrage at 40 years of age [im 44 now] and since then I have for once in my life taken the time to live for myself...I am no longer in a hurry to jump the fence...now if I had done this 20 years ago I wouldnt be here now looking back at two wrong marrages, so dont be in any hurry...live your life now for yourself, and get out and date, get settled in your career,jump on those guys who treat you like a woman,[wink,wink] and please dont worry that your friends are more happy...trust me, some will change and end in divorce, with kids... and then they will turn to you and say boy have you got it good as not being in a hurry to get married.