This is a topic very dear to me.
I have had many friendgirls, only (2) I would consider girlfriends. I wanted to marry those 2 (no, not at the same time). One went off to college and found life outside of the small town we grew up in; ended up marrying her first boyfriend from grade school.
The other I met in Junior College, but I was too wild for her as far as settling down. She married a cowboy/boot maker, had a daughter, got divorced, and we ran into each other at a bar and started dating again. I wanted to get married (I was not as wild, still a lil wild), but she did not want any part of that. So, I wanted out and did not see her for several days, then she saw me leave a club with another woman. She is married to a mortician now.
So, as of today, I am still "never been married" at 47 yrs young.
I had lots of church folk praying for a mate and I read all kinds of books and even joined a "Christian based match making service". Nothing.
I have been told God has someone out there for me
Maybe now that I have decided to slow down (hard to maintain a relationship when you are gone 250-300+ days/year) God can get me prepared for a very special mate. I really don't want to continue life without a mate; I know I have Jesus and that should be all I need, but I have not overcome that area just yet.