When the internet started buzzing about Taylor’s engagement, my first reaction was to grab my phone, text my friends, and go full “did you see this?!” mode. But once the initial excitement settled, it actually got me thinking about dating—and, more importantly, the pressure we put on ourselves to figure it all out on some invisible timeline.

Because let’s be honest, if there’s anyone who could have rushed into love just for the fairytale ending, it’s Taylor. But she didn’t. She dated, she learned, she got her heart broken (a few times in very public ways), and she still held out for the love that actually feels like it fits. And that’s kind of the best reminder ever when it comes to dating.

You don’t need to rush

Dating sometimes feels like a race, doesn’t it? Like you’re sprinting to catch up with everyone else’s milestones—engagement photos on Instagram, wedding invites piling up, baby announcements hitting your feed like clockwork. But love isn’t a deadline. Taylor’s engagement is a reminder that you don’t need to rush. You have time to date, to learn, to grow, and to figure out what love really means for you.

Dating is basically practice

The truth? Most relationships aren’t “forever” relationships. And that’s not a bad thing! Every connection teaches you something, even if it’s just realizing what doesn’t work for you. Taylor’s had her fair share of love stories that didn’t last, and yet each one added a piece to her puzzle. That’s what dating is: practice. A little trial and error until you find someone who fits.

Never settle for less than you deserve

One of the easiest traps in dating is convincing yourself that “this is fine” when deep down, it isn’t. Maybe they look good on paper. Maybe your friends like them. Maybe it’s just easier than being single again. But if you’re constantly negotiating with yourself or trying to justify why it’s “good enough,” it’s not. You deserve more than a relationship that leaves you wondering. Taylor’s story proves that it’s worth holding out for the kind of love that feels secure, sure, and steady.

You’ll never be too much for the right person

The right person won’t make you shrink yourself or question if you’re “too much.” They’ll love you exactly as you are. If you ever feel like you need to tone down your personality, your dreams, or your feelings to keep someone around—that’s not your person.

If he wants you, he will pursue you

This one is simple: when someone truly wants to be with you, you won’t have to guess. You won’t have to decode mixed signals or overthink every text. The right person shows up. Period.

Stop comparing yourself to others

Taylor has always dreamed of the big love story, and she’s 35 just now getting engaged. That’s proof that you’re not “behind” in any way—you’re exactly on time. Love doesn’t have a deadline, so stop stacking your story up against someone else’s. Your chapter will unfold when it’s meant to.

Love isn’t a deadline, it’s a vibe

At the end of the day, love isn’t about checking boxes or hitting milestones—it’s about finding the person who matches your energy, your rhythm, your world. Taylor’s engagement is proof that it doesn’t matter how long it takes or what the path looks like. What matters is that it feels right.

Life doesn’t stop at 30

If you’re in your mid-20s, 30 can feel like it’s standing in the corner of the room staring at you—like some invisible timer ticking down on where you “should” be. But the truth? Life doesn’t end at 30. It actually gets better. More clarity, more confidence, more knowing what (and who) you actually want.

Getting married isn’t the only important thing you’ll do in your life. Love isn’t a deadline, it’s a piece of the puzzle. When you hold your values and standards high, good things have a way of finding you. The right person, the right timing—it all comes together when it’s supposed to.

So take a breath. You’re not behind, you’re not running out of time, and your story is still unfolding exactly as it should.

And honestly? If Taylor can take her time, so can we.

Love, Laura