I don’t want a boyfriend.

I’m looking for someone to walk off into the sunset with and build an amazing life together and I don’t want to be exclusive until that guy shows up.

I certainly don’t want to settle for anyone I think is less than amazing and perfect… for me.

But I often wonder if the man of my dreams proposed tomorrow, would I say Yes?  I don’t know. Not because I wouldn’t love him, because, if he is the man of my dreams, then of course I would. And not because I’m morally opposed to marriage. I’m not.

I just want to check off a few more things on my life to-do list before becoming a married woman. Travel, move a little further in my career, add a bit more to my savings account, flirt with a few more fascinating people, and finally learn how to cook a grandiose dinner… I’ll get there:-).

And it’s not just the single girl bucket list.  Studies are showing getting hitched in your early twenties ups your risk of divorce. Apparently the more years of higher education or life experience a woman has under her belt on her wedding day, the lower the chances that she’ll get divorced… Educated women tend to be more confident about who they are and less willing to settle for a man who doesn’t meet their standards.

I’m sure there is also countless studies to the contrary. But I happen to think 29 is the new 25.

Which is why I love that the most famous bride of the year—and probably the century—was almost 30 when she walked down the aisle.

So many of my friends have changed careers, gone back to school, moved cities, and done complete 180s when it comes to their life plans — and many of them have done it in their late 20s. By 29 I’ve noticed most ladies seem to have a better sense of what they want.

So, thanks Kate for putting off marriage until you’re almost the big 3-0. If you could handle reporters and paparazzi and the Queen of England asking you every two minutes, “When are you getting married”?, I’m sure I can handle a few people asking me the same thing. Including my grandmother’s constant “You know, you’re born with all of the eggs you’ll ever have and you just lose more and more each year.”

And thanks for reminding me – yes, even I sometimes doubt my desire to wait –  that getting married at 29 (or perhaps later) is smart, sexy, and utterly appealing.