We are the generation that grew up with fairytales-not just the kind in books but the kind that played on a screen with stunning animation and catchy songs.

Disney showed us our first #relationshipgoals and what we thought love could be like.

Meet a guy, share a look and a song and then ... happily ever after.

Now that we are "grown-ups" we realize love doesn't and shouldn't move that quickly. We've learned that lasting relationships take time and work.

But there's nothing wrong with thinking you can still have a happily ever after.

Yes, even in real life you can, but YOU gotta make it happen. One of the ways you do that is by dating only men you see yourself sharing that ever after with.

Here are just a few reasons why dating a man you cannot see yourself marrying is harmful not only to yourself but also to your happily ever after dreams.

It won't change over time; you know when you know

Although I am not a believer in "love at first sight," I am a believer in "When you know, you know." I am here to tell you it is a real thing.

If you are in a relationship with a guy and you haven't even thought of marrying him, chances are you never will.

I was surprised by how fast I knew I wanted to marry my husband. But just because I knew, didn't mean I had to share that info with him right away; I just knew I could see a lasting future with him, so dating him was a good thing to invest in.

It wastes your time and energy

Sure, all relationships can teach you something. But if that "something" is that he's wrong for you, why are you wasting your time?

There is nothing wrong with being single and waiting for a guy with real marriage potential. Dating guys you can see yourself marrying does not guarantee you will marry any of them, but at least it gets you closer to the kind of person you will want to end up with and teaches you about the qualities you want in your future spouse.

Dating should really have a purpose, and the most fulfilling one is marriage.

It will give you the chance to find REAL love

If Disney did get one thing right, it's about the power of love.

Love is what keeps people together; it's what lasting relationships are made up of.

If you are dating someone you don't love or can't see yourself loving in the future, you should probably end the relationship.

I sincerely believe there is an innate feeling-some call it chemistry-when you just know you are going to fall in love with someone with the kind of love that lasts throughout time into forever and ever.

Follow these feelings; and if you don't have them with the current guy you're dating, don't be afraid to end your relationship and seek out real love somewhere else.

Hey, you deserve your happily ever after, and so does everybody else. Don't settle for anything less, and make sure to date only men you actually can see yourself married to. Then, you will actually find your very own prince charming.