A time to marry

Last week a lecturer related a true story about a great Torah sage who was officiating at a Jewish wedding. As the groom recited the words "Harei At Mekudeshet Li" (Behold, you are consecrated to me), he slipped the ring on the bride's finger. To his consternation, the ring fell off and rolled down the aisle. The guests groaned and searched for the ring. Finally, someone found it and returned it to the groom. A second attempt to place the ring on the bride's finger yielded the same result. This time, the guests began talking about the inauspicious sign of the wedding ring falling off and began to bet how long the marriage would last. Again, someone found the ring and returned it to the groom.
The great rabbi assured the guests that all was meant to be. "I don't understand what you are all getting upset about," he began. "The ring fell twice because it wasn't the couple's time to get married. Now is the time that was decreed for them to be married."
With those words, the groom, once again, placed the ring on the bride's finger. Lo and behold, it did not slip off.
The above anecdote can perhaps provide some comfort for those singles waiting for their basherts to arrive. Their destined ones will arrive just at the right moment. We must place our faith in G-d and pray to him for the right match.
May those awaiting their basherts find their future spouses at the right time.