I think the majority of people expect someone to start dating after the loss of a loved one fairly soon, which I never really understood. My neighbor lost his wife to brain cancer and literally less than a year later he remarried. I always found that to be odd. But it really is a personal decision and only you know when you'll be ready. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, and not to cover up your grief. Some people date really soon because the grief is so much that they need someone else really soon to cover up the pain. So really ask yourself when you're ready to date again, you'll know if it feels right or not. You don't have to wait 2-3 years. Just take your time with it.