I've been on my own, happily, for a long time too and have had the same thoughts ... I guess my hope is that I can retain a peaceful, happy life AND get all the goodies too! Goodies being: an opportunity to have a deeper life in ways you can only do with a mate. Going in directions that would never occur to me, on my own.

Being complete just within myself feels great! But I'm limited to experiences that I can come up with, alone. How much better to also have someone else's universe, too?

Or did you want more of a list of things? -- waking up and going to sleep with the same person for the rest of your life! Someone who's there when something really funny, sad, moving happens, to share it with! The in-jokes you develop with each other! Having mutual friends and a bigger extended family. Developing a history together! Not to mention fun, longterm sexual involvement, and oh yeah, love!