I agree w/Dillon and Ryker - a piece of paper doesn't mean JACK SHIT and you should find yourself BEFORE you find a mate..but there is more to it than that.
W/O that piece of paper you do NOT have the same rights that marrried people do, otherwise why would gay couples be trying to change the laws so that same sex marriages would be LEGALLY recognized? Unfortunately, the piece of paper is a double edged sword: yes, your "union" is recognized by the law and society in general. There is also some protection afforded...ie deadbeat parents and just fucking advantage-taking sharks, but GODDAMN is it fucking messed up trying to end it when the relationship is no longer functional and it would benefit BOTH parties (and children MOST) to dissolve it.
As for "finding yourself"....this sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, life is not that simple. Perhaps I am incorrect in my thinking, but isn't "finding yourself" a life-long process? True, I know so much more about myself now than I did when I was first married. So does that mean I should only consider a legal commitment once my ovaries are dusty? I know this last comment makes me sound like I believe that the only reason for marriage is procreation. Nothing could be further from the truth.
All I am saying is that there are no black and white, quick fix, "one size fits all" answer. We do not look at life the same in our twenties, thirties, forties, etc.... I am not commitment phobic. I thought that I would be married FOREVER. But my ex's actions have not only NOT made me regret my decision to divorce (he did not want it), but REAFFIRM that I did the right thing for MY CHILDREN AND ME and should've done this a LONG TIME AGO. Hell, the only person this is NOT RIGHT FOR - IS HIM! Kind of makes you see why he did NOT want the divorce to begin with......yea, it was good to be the king.