We live in a fast-paced world full of opportunities for instant gratification.

You want the answer to a question? Google it.

You want to buy that just-released DVD or latest and greatest piece of technology? Order it online from your iPad.

You want to eat junk food at 3 a.m.? Drive a block to that 24-hour drive-thru.

I could continue listing hundreds of examples but I think you get the point.

I guess it’s no surprise that many of us also look for instant gratification in relationships. I’m not talking about physical gratification, although that’s definitely a part of it too. I’m referring to emotional gratification.

You know that feeling you get when you’re falling in love? It’s an overwhelming sense of excitement, passion, and optimism that could lead to a permanent connection with “the one.” Isn’t that the end result most of us hopeless romantics are hoping for? I know I am.

I’ve had a few serious relationships in the past, and until recently it seemed the end of each one spilled right into the beginning of another. But I was chasing that feeling and ignoring the early red flags. I was moving full speed ahead to reach the more serious emotions.

But I’ve come to realize a lot of it was forced. Fake. Twisted and remolded to make the relationships look and feel like something they weren’t.

I wanted to find “the one” so bad that I was determined to create “the one” out of the wrong person. It took a devastating blow to the heart to break all that down, and build myself back up.

I finally spent time on my own to feel comfortable in my own skin again and reestablish some standards.

I went to therapy, dissected some of my underlying issues, and I waited. Patience has never been one of my stronger virtues, but nonetheless I waited.

Then out of nowhere, someone from my past resurfaced and changed my life for the better. Even when we started dating, I struggled with taking it slow. My instinct was to kick it into high gear, dive in head first, fall in love off the top and ride off into the desert sunset! Nearly scared him away.

Over the past few months I’ve learned to find the happy medium, put a little out there, and then wait. I still have to keep myself in check from time to time, but I try to remember that everything’s worked out for the best until now, so allowing things to progress at their own pace isn’t such a bad thing.

I’m learning firsthand the best things in life really are worth waiting for.