A casual friend of mine recently made a comment that hurt a great deal.

This friend said that if someone, by their 40's has either not been married or in a very serious relationship then "I tend to think something is very wrong with them."

My friend although in her mid 40's, older than me, is a former model and still gorgeous. Me: out of shape but trying, and someone who has never had a truly satisfying or even long lasting romantic relationship.

Comments like this make me feel even more hopeless about myself.I know that I had a rough start in life and I didn't even begin to get my ***** together emotionally until my 30's. I am the ultimate late bloomer.

It's hard not to feel damaged or broken, but I only have one life--i'd really like to live it. I'm tired of being in pain and feeling bad.

Has anyone found any small or large success out of a situation like mine? Anyone get it together enough to have a satisfying love life? F* marriage and having kids at this point---companionship would be enough.