I never thought I’d be here.

Three years ago, I was that girl who was still with her high school boyfriend in the dorms.

Oh yes, I was the one who annoyed her roommate and friends because I’d drop everything when he’d call and I’d hang on to my phone like a life preserver just in case he did.

Now I’ve been single since we broke up during finals week of freshman year. And here I thought I’d be picking out wedding dresses by now.

No, I’m not delusional. He had proposed to me before I even graduated high school, so I knew it was only a matter of time before the wedding bells would ring.

But life happens and it goes on, and here I am all alone (with no one there beside me).

Most people in my position would probably revel in the solitude, looking at the breakup as an opportunity to just enjoy college.

Me? While I may live alone, I do appreciate a good romantic relationship with the opposite sex.

Since my breakup, I’ve been on the hunt for a good guy to call my own.

Unfortunately, I seem to be having trouble finding Mr. Right in a sea of Mr. Right-nows.

See, I don’t want just a fling, tryst or love affair. I want a serious relationship— two people who honestly care about each other and aren’t just in it for the fun.

Now, I’m not saying I want a ring right up front. Oh no, I’ve been down that rushed road before and I’m good for now.

But I can say that it’d be nice to be with someone who doesn’t play games and who knows what he wants.

OK, this is starting to sound like a Tinder profile.

In all honesty, I have learned from my last relationship and the long time I’ve spent as a single flamingo.

For one thing, while many people told freshman Megan that it would be better to break up with my then boyfriend before college, I don’t regret being that girl with the high school boyfriend.

I had no regrets in that relationship because I let it play out, unlike some of my friends in the dorms.

Who needs to wonder about “what ifs” when you’ve already got your answers?

Also, while I do feel like I missed out on the “freshman dorm experience” by staying with that guy, I do honestly think the relationship kept me grounded and out of the murky waters that are floorcest and awkward encounters in the dining hall.

Plus, by not getting distracted by guys at school, I was able to focus on, well, school.

Finally, being single this long after such a serious relationship has let me learn more about myself as a person. I’ve been able to grow and figure out what exactly I want, not just in a relationship, but in life as well.

Before I had to worry about appeasing another person when I was trying to figure out my future, but now I only have to worry about whether I’m happy.

So, lessons learned. While these past three years have been lonely, I wouldn’t trade the experiences and wisdom I’ve gained for anything.

I still have two semesters left, so it’s not too late to find Mr. Right, right?

Megan Mann can be reached at [email protected] or @meganisthemann on Twitter.