So many times we find ourselves wishing we found soulmates or people to share our lives with. I am sure everyone has wondered when they would find true love at least once in their lifetime.

The thing is, love comes when you least expect it, and it is not a good idea to jump into anything or rush anything.

When I was 18 years old, I met a guy online. Keep in mind, I was a young stupid teenager who had minimal experience in adulthood, and I was very naïve.

A day later, I found myself saying yes when this guy came to town and asked me to be his boyfriend. Literally, we had known each other a minimum of 24 hours, if that.

Three weeks later, we were already talking about marriage. What the heck was I thinking? I know that is what you are thinking as you read this.

One night, he was at my house and proposed to me with a ring, and I accepted. I swear to you, this is no joke.

My parents were utterly devastated and of course knew that this whole thing was such a rush and we had no business being engaged, let alone really dating, as there were toxic things about this person that I should have seen as warning signs from the beginning.

Shortly after accepting the ring, I made the first smart adult decision and gave him the ring back. I realized I was incredibly young, I had known this guy for less than a month and we were taking things beyond fast.

Needless to say, the relationship did not work out, as I found myself incredibly unhappy and realizing that there were so many things about this guy that I could not deal with nor could I handle.

Of course, I still find myself wondering when I will meet the right guy and settle down. But as I think about that, my thought process turns to my education, my career and most importantly my recovery.

As impatient as I am, and believe me, I am very impatient, I accept that love will come in time and that I cannot spend every day focusing on it. I plan to just let it happen when it comes.

Eventually that person will come to you, but you have to focus on yourself and your own life before becoming involved with someone else.

Andrew Paisley is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or at abpaisley@eiu.edu.