Looking for Mr. Right?

Attention, single ladies. Want to snag Mr. Right? It’s easy; become Miss Right first. That’s what licensed marriage and family therapist Shannon Fox and divorce attorney Celeste Liversidge say in their new book Last One Down the Aisle Wins. They say women who marry young may end up divorcing young because they rushed into a marriage that wasn’t right for them. Instead, the authors say women should put off marriage until they become the best version of themselves – and only then will they be ready for Mr. Right.

In the book, they say being single is a time for women to discover their passions and talents, to gain independence, and to figure out relationships with their body, finances and friends. Being single also helps you come to grips with your family’s influences on your choices in life, all of which helps you zero in on what you really want and need in a spouse. Marriage experts agree. They say the earlier you marry, the greater your odds for divorce, because when you marry young, you tend to choose “Mr. Right for Right Now.” You’re more likely to marry someone you’d never have chosen if you’d waited. However, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, if you wait until after the age of 25 to get married, your chances of staying married more than double! That's because if you spend a large part of your 20s figuring out who you are, you’ll have a better idea of the type of person who will compliment you, and you'll be a better spouse.

So, what’s the best way to find yourself during your 20s? Our authors and experts recommend: traveling, focusing on your education and your career, becoming independent and developing friendships with other women. The happier you are with your life and yourself, the more likely you are to be attracted to a man you can build a good life with, and the less likely you’ll be to get a divorce down the road.