Magic

I have been single for slightly more than a year now, 384 days to be exact.

I am amazed at the amount of first dates I've been on in the past year. I have lost count. Many many great men of fantastic calibre. But not a right fit.

Some people thought I was single because I'm an independent woman who doesn't want a man, some people thought I was just a party girl who didn't want commitment.

But ask my closest of friends.. they know that I want nothing more than to be in a loving committed relationship. These 384 days have been the longest stretch of singlehood I've ever had in my adult life.

And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've learnt a lot about other people and myself. And most of all, it has made me very grateful to have finally found someone that fits.

(Be patient, Mark will be revealed in time to come)

There's probably nothing worse in a relationship than taking things (and your partner) for granted. And if he had come along earlier on in my life, I don't think I would be at this stage, this frame of mind.

His appearance now could not have been more perfect. I had just stopped looking. Stopped dating new people. Was thinking of just settling with one of the men I was already dating and just make that work.

Those readers who wrote in contesting my dating approach- where I'd date many men at one time and eliminate until it was down to one (or none!) ... - they were right. When you meet the right person, things get so apparently clear, it's not a process of elimination, it's not a checklist, it's not about weighing someone up against others. I don't know what it is... but I can tell you, it's nothing short of magic.

So you can imagine what it was like when suddenly, I found what I had been looking for all along. Someone whom I thought didn't exist. It's a blessing, relief, utter happiness and sweet sweet contentment all rolled into one. Magic.