For six years, Clara believed she was building a future with Michael.

Whenever she mentioned marriage, he always gave the same answer.

"I'm not ready yet."*

She waited.

He asked for more time.

She waited again.

Then one day, Clara got tired.

She didn't leave because she stopped loving him.

She left because she realised she couldn't keep putting her life on hold for someone who wasn't sure about choosing her.

Eight months later, Michael got married.

Not to Clara.

To someone he had met less than a year earlier.

Clara was heartbroken.

But what hurt the most was the question she couldn't stop asking herself:

"Was he really not ready for marriage... or was he simply not ready to marry me?"

Lesson: Sometimes, "I'm not ready" is not a promise that someone will eventually choose you.

Question:  How long should someone wait for their partner to be ready for marriage?