Dating is a modern concept and only started to happen in the 20thC.
The history of relationships is so different to the way we conceive of them now.
If people feel bad about the problems they encounter in coupling, they should take at least a but of solace from knowing that this is all new to us as a species and were making it up as we go along.
My European grandparents had an arranged marriage and spent most of that marriage apart. To me that seems incredible. But back then it wasn't.

We still have not figured out what we want coupling to be. There are no rules but one: treat people with respect.