Do you think you have stepping stone guy to find the guy of your dreams?

I would like your opinion.  Do you think you have a stepping stone relationship with the opposite sex before you find the person of your dreams?  My girlfriend believes this but I am not sure about it all.  I lost my Smokey.  I am open to finding someone now.  She thinks I need to have a stepping stone relationship before I find the one that is meant for me.  I just want to be patient and go slow to find the one for me as there is no rush on it.  I am interested in Bill but not sure if he is just being nice to me because I did lose Smokey.  It is like in school you can have many crushes before you find someone for you.  I guess the other way to say it is do you have a rebound relationship before you find someone for yourself after you lose your partner thru death.  I have only been a widow for seven months so you can see there is no rush on these things.  I am open and looking at the opposite sex.  I would like your opinion on this topic.
From Diane