17 and never had a girlfriend...

I didn't get a girlfriend until I was 17 -- my brother didn't have sex until his early 20s, and was like 25 by the time you have a girlfriend.

Meeting my girlfriend, while the best thing that ever happened to me, didn't help really to advance me in life, put me further down the path, or anything like that.
It's not as much of a need as it feels like - and though it sucks to be lonely - you mustn't put so much pressure on it.

Not long before I met my girl, I had tried an online 'relationship'; it didn't work out and I was a little disheartened by it. I originally decided "fuck trying to get a girlfriend, I'm just gonna find a girl to bone"; though, not a very pleasant attitude - it marked the beginning of a period that was prime for me to meet someone.

I had lowered my standards as I wasn't looking for a mate, just someone friendly; I had taken the pressure off of myself, as it didn't matter as much to me (twas a compromise that seemed much easier these days); but most importantly it emptied my mind.

I no longer had expectations. I no longer had expectations of what I should do, what I should be like. I no longer had a biological alarm clock (as I had sorta given up). And most importantly, I was in a relaxed state. This allowed me to be myself, and while back then I wasn't a confident person, I wasn't a bundle of nerves around chicks I liked anymore. And I hardly feared rejection, because of my lack of expectations.

I really think the best advice is to let go. Focus on other things; maybe get out more, join some sorta groups and whatnot, as that's just generally good advice; but just try to forget about it a little bit, forget what everyone else is doing, and get back on your own life path =)

 

i'm sure that makes him feel much better...

 

I agree with this. Don't worry so much about finding a girl. Focus on being you and achieving whatever goals you'd like to achieve. The right girl will come along when the time is right.