A hopeless romantic?

It's with a bit of hesitation that I'm actually writing about this topic tonight. It's not something that I would normally share for the public to view. However, it's been on my mind a lot as of late, and since this is my thoughts turned blog, I figure it couldn't hurt to get my view/feelings on this out there.
I usually begin my blog with an update on life, BUT...there is none. Same old, same old. Nothing particularly new in life, just working and going to school. Rinse and repeat. I am shampoo, it seems. Or the usage of it.
I've been living in Provo for close to two months now, and it's been really interesting to observe it, and the goings on of it all. Sure, there are a lot of rumors about it, and peoples misconceptions of how it really is, but I've blogged about it before, so I won't try to hit too much on it again. The thing is, since I've been here, there seems to be this feeling instilled in to me, (and mostly everyone else) to have this need to be in a relationship with someone. Yeah, I know it's weird, and you're probably thinking, "Typical Provo...". I'm not saying it's just me, and that I have some sort of desperate desire to be dating someone, but it seems to press on the mind while living here, and everyone seems to be getting the vibe and trying. Perhaps it that it's a major college town (seeing as it contains two universities) and there are all sorts of young people down here ready for the next stage(s) of their life. Perhaps there is something in the water. *shrugs* Hard to say why, but what I AM saying, is that the feeling is there, and it wasn't there before I got here.
Anyway, so now I'm here, with the desire to meet people, and, if possible, to find someone to date. This brings me to my next point. Lately, I've had several friends start calling me a "hopeless romantic", because I view dating as such a "non-casual" thing. I'll readily admit that perhaps, compared to the modern world, my views on dating are a bit "old fashioned", but heck, that's not a bad thing in my point of view. (hence the reason that I prefer it that way)
I guess in my mind I keep imagining this perfect dating thing to happen, and it working out great. No awkwardness, just flowing smoothly, and very few bumps along the road. I also keep trying to picture this perfect girl, not perfect as in flawless, but more perfect for each other. Yeah, I know it sounds cheesy, but when you think about it, doesn't everyone prefer it that way? (so it's only cheesy because I put it into words?)
Here's the next problem, and I'll preamble this with an apology to her if she happens to read this post. I won't use her name, but she probably will guess that it's her that I'm talking about. I hope she doesn't mind. My problem right now is that I keep comparing girls I meet and would consider asking on a date to another girl I used to date. We broke up on good terms so far as I know from my side. She had her reasons, which were justifiable for ending it. I also respect her decision and will leave her to it and not press the matter again unless she chose to. I have no ill feelings towards her whatsoever. Thing is, she was probably one of the most amazing people I have met. I thought we got along well, and, in my "hopeless romantic" sort of way, I thought things were fitting pretty perfectly.
Things are obviously over now, but now my problem is that I feel that if I meet a girl that I would consider taking on a date (or whatever), in my mind, it's like that bar has been raised to my ex's status, and I feel I would be settling if I dated them (not in a judging sort of way, more of the thinking of how well we would get along, etc). This has been troubling my mind for some time now, and I've been trying to figure myself out and what to do. (No, I'm not writing this blog to try and get something out of her, or whatever this is merely more of my feelings on my dating life) I have some good friends that I've talked to about it, and they all have shared great advice to me. But one of the best pieces of advice came from my friend/co-worker. When we talked about it a couple weeks ago, she said something that really made sense, and comforted me a lot.
Her words were along the lines of this; "It wouldn't make sense or be fair for God to have you meet this amazing person who you really connected with, only to have it not work out, and in the end you'd just have to settle on someone not as great for eternity. Rather, if would make more sense that when you do find 'the one', they will either be just as great, if not better than before." I thought that was really great.
So yes, still on the journey to find the right one. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in a terrible rush or hurry to find one, I hope I'm not coming across that way. Sure, a relationship and marriage would be great, and I feel that I'm ready in my life for that to happen if it happens, but if I have to wait, so be it.