All I really need to know I learned in Justin Bieber songs and Jason Segel movies. Seriously.

My latest mantra comes courtesy of The Five-Year Engagement: “There is no right cookie, you just pick one and take a bite!” Before that, I found wisdom in a line from “As Long as You Love Me:” “But the grass ain’t always greener on the other side. It’s green where you water it.”

There is no perfect person. I think we’ve all learned this. But I have also learned there is no person perfect for me. Or you. Or anyone.

I don’t mean that we are doomed to be alone or unhappy. I think that there are many people with whom each of us could be happy.

I used to tell my ex-husband that he may not be perfect but he was perfect for me. Um, did you catch that “ex” part? Yeah, I was naive. Could we have made it work? And been happy? I think so. If we had lowered some expectations and raised some responsibility. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have another happy relationship. Like I said, I think there are a bunch of people with whom I could have that.

So, here’s what I have learned: find a decent person with whom you share genuine affection. Make sure your views on sex, money, and family line up. Do all you can to be and stay with them. And…that’s pretty much it.

When we talk about someone’s “love of their life,” I don’t think we mean they have found their soul mate. I think we mean they have chosen to love that person for life…and done what they needed to make that happen.

To a certain cute boy, thank you for taking a bite of me.