In the episode where Ted had an identical (to a point) date
with the same gal 7 years apart, I liked how they worked
together to figure out where they failed to get along, and
make compromises to try to get along better. I felt bad at
the end when Ted decided to wait for the PERFECT gal instead
of "settling" for somebody less than perfect. IMO working
with your partner to get along despite differences, is a lot
more important in a relationship than being with the PERFECT
mate. After all, the PERFECT mate will grow and change over
time and cease being perfect after a few years. I wish Ted
had decided to stay with her as a learn-about-relationships
gal, and eventually either a wife or not a wife depending on
how successful the process turned out. But regardless of
whether she ended up being THE MOTHER, they would be both be
better spending the time learning how to mend problems than
spending the same time meeting hundreds of new people, or
even better so long as they aren't yet in a committed
relationship, they could simultaneously be friends working
on their differences while meeting other people.
.
So the ultimate message would be to work on whatever
relationships you happen upon, if the other person is
willing to work with you, rather than either "settling"
(without any effort to improve the relationship) or ditching
anyone who isn't perfect.