If Friend Is What He Wants

One thing I can do is hold on to some emotions for someone. More than just hold on, but allow it to alter the rhythm of my path. A decision I clearly decided on. Maybe I think too much, but I do think, and the more I go over the situation I wonder...where are things going? 
Although he expressed himself to me, and I have done the same...where are things going, both of us wanting different things. I wanting a relationship, he wants a friendship that could lead to more.
My thing is, we have a friendship, and there are somethings we need to learn about one another.. but isn't that the purpose of a relationship. Learning about one another in depth then going from there to higher levels. My presepctive, correct me if I'm wrong is:

• First-you date different people, a chance to get to know them
• Second- based on dates one is selected as the person you feel most compatible with to form a relationship
• Third-in an exlusive relationship, you get to know the person on a more in depth level (this process should go on for a long period of time)
• Fourth-Engagement or Break up. After being in a relationship, are you really compatible with the person, have your feelings become extremely strong or weakened. Can you see yourself making this person your life partner? If no, break-up its not meant to be. If yes, then engagement should follow. 
• Fifth- Marriage or go back to the first step. marriage is making one life together, growing together, a shared life long friendship, that may or may not produce children. If you broke up in the fourth step, then you get back out there. 

I'm ready to hit step three, and he wants to be friends, figuring there is a lot more to learn about each other. When frankly there is some information he isn't privileged to, until we get in a relationship. I just feel there is something more stable with a relationship. If I'm going to give you that part of myself, express my vulnerability, then we need to be into something solid. Everyone doesn't get to see that side of me. 

I've asked him to be my boyfriend more than enough times through out the years we've know each other, and each time I hear the time is not right. Well when the hell is the right time? I'm not going to force him in a relationship, if he doesn't want to do that on his own. I can understand where he's coming from, and I've told him where I'm coming from, but there isn't a compromise. 

While there are other young men, who are actually interested in pursuing a relationship with me. Here I am putting them on hold, while I see where this one is going. With him, I feel like what we could have would be long term, something lasting. The others, seem like they will be short term relationships, and frankly I'm not interested in short term relationships. It is a waste of my time and energy. 

But if friends is what he wants, then I think friends is what he will get.  The part of me waiting for that "right time" is almost done with waiting...