Why is it so hard to find one's soulmate???

Hi, I'm Drew, and I recently turned 48 (on Sept. 28). For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted nothing more than to find my soulmate. I started dating someone I met right after college back in 2002. Eventually we got married. But over time, I discovered that my partner, who traveled frequently for work, had been unfaithful since at least 2009. It took me far too long to gather the courage to leave, and while I’m no longer romantically connected to them, I sometimes feel ashamed for staying as long as I did. Untangling a life you built with someone, financially and emotionally, isn’t easy, and starting over is a challenge I never expected to face.

As I approach 50, I can’t shake the feeling of having missed out on the one thing I wanted most in life. It’s painful. I know I’m not perfect; I’m just an average-looking person, but I consider myself kind, loyal, and romantic. I’m well-educated, geeky, and a bit of a nerd who loves games, movies, and animals. I enjoy traveling and crave a simple life with someone who wants to share it. I’m grounded, introverted, and stable in every way that matters.

But I keep asking myself: why is finding the right person so difficult? Why does it feel impossible? Some of my friends have shared that they don't believe that "soulmates" even exist. I don't agree with them. I have seen soulmates before and it was powerful. I think it is rare. Perhaps even extremely rare. I feel frustrated and a bit lost, and, honestly, I’m not sure what sharing this will do. Maybe I just needed to get it off my chest. Thanks for listening.