That Nature of Love
Another reason to take your time is that this is a necessary part of learning how to love. Dating should not only produce a mate, it should also develop within you the ability to love that mate deeply and well.
Love as the Bible defines it is a stance of working for the best for another person. God's love moved him to send his Son for our best (John 3:16). When we learn how to date the right way, that sort of love is born and grows within us.
For example, when you pace your relationship, you are giving up things you would like now for a greater benefit later. You are tolerating delay of gratification, experiencing frustration, and learning patience. You are learning to care for a person who does not belong to you yet, which is an anxiety-provoking situation.
Boundaries in Dating - Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend (Zondervan, 2000)