Zack Oates > Quotes

“That’s when I decided I was going to be happy and not look for someone to complete me. And that’s when I decided I was never going to stress about dating, or feel guilty for it.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“someone else, the piece just needs to start moving. The missing piece starts to flip over and over until it eventually wears down its edges, becomes a circle, and begins to roll by itself! At the end of the story the Big O and the missing piece end up together because they realize they are each other’s perfect fit—not because one couldn’t go without the other, but because they wanted to roll together.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“They give high fives. They hold hands. They write notes of encouragement. They cook pancakes at midnight with all their kids. They live a full life. And while that may not seem like what most are looking for, it is the thing I’m looking for. A life without respect and adventure? While some call it reality, I call it “my fear of marriage.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“There were two factors I’ve noticed in those five percent of marriages: 1. They have respect for each other. They are friends. 2.    They work for adventure. Not that they spend thousands of dollars traveling, but they share new experiences with each other.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“But when you meet someone who could be the right person, you want to change to make yourself a better you (NOTE: not just a “better person,” but a “better you”). When you meet someone you want to be with, guess what … ? You want to be with them! Your fearful outlook begins to change. Improving is encouraging, not a bummer. Being exclusive is a relief, not a sacrifice. Talks about the future together are exciting, not scary.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“So, regardless if you are single or dating, figure out the common factors of those marriages you most respect, write them down, and commit yourself to working on those aspects of life right now. This will help you overcome any fears you might have about the idea of marriage.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“For with her, there isn’t eternal support, kind words, sweet notes, meaningful kisses, gentle reminders, someone to think about during chick flicks, a well of intensely personal advice, a loving ear or a willing heart. She will try to convince you that by jumping in your ride and heading out tonight riding solo is YOLO, but know that the ice cream, Ambien, and Netflix cocktails can’t drown the innate desire of a human to care about and be cared about on a plane that is higher than platonic friendship. Ah yes, what she offers pales in comparison to what she never can give”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“(Take a deep breath for this next run-on sentence) I believe that two people can fall madly in love and sift that fairy-tale feeling up through the raging sands of reality to settle on top as a polished stone of true joy, where the "happily ever after" will be something two mortals are working towards and not a finished product.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works... until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“A kind of love that grows stronger with every loving word that is shared between a husband and wife. A kind of love that transcends death and knows no bounds.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“We hear “don’t settle for less than the best,” but “don’t expect perfection.” We hear “you have to give a little,” but “don’t change for someone.” We hear “don’t play the dating game,” but “go out with lots of people.” We hear “go and flirt,” but “don’t be too forward.” Basically, if you ask two people the same question about dating, you’ll get at least three different answers. I was challenged to bring this entire book to a single section.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“wasn’t afraid of commitment—I was afraid of commitment with the wrong person. So if you are in a relationship and have worked at improving and getting over your fears and aren’t sure why you still feel uneasy, try to walk away. It might give you the perspective to help you understand the source of your fear.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“Two weeks later she met a guy, a month later she was engaged, and a few months later she was married. She finally felt free. Turns out, she was trying to escape the wrong prison the whole time—it wasn’t about the dark cage of dreadful commitment but the weary prison of the wrong person.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“In pondering over that question, I realized one of my biggest fears about marriage is that life will become audaciously ordinary, banal—dull.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates

“Do what the best version of you would do. For you are pretty great. You are worth being loved. You are worth finding love.”
― Zack Oates, Dating Never Works . . . Until It Does: 100 Lessons from 1,000 Dates