What should I do? I don't know if I can just "be friends".?

My now ex-girlfriend is 24, I'm 21.

Before we started talking 8 months ago, she had gotten out of a 2-year relationship with a real scumbag. It took her awhile, understandably, to open up to me about things and for us to consider starting a relationship together. Things were going well for 5 months into our relationship until she ultimately realized that she hasn't been single for an extended period of time since she was 14, and so she hasn't really gotten to experience life on her own. She's always had self-esteem issues and had depression because of those insecurities, despite how much she said I helped her feel a lot better about herself and everything.

Like I said, things were going well, despite our normal occasional arguments. Today she dropped this bomb on me that she wanted time to finish school and enjoy being alone for awhile so she can try and be happy with herself before being in a relationship with someone else. It makes sense, considering you need to make yourself happy before you can make someone else happy. I told her that after all we've shared and how well we know each other, I couldn't just "be friends" with her. It'd hurt too much. She started crying and said that she couldn't deal with not having me in her life. She said I'm her best friend and know more about her than anyone else, so she wouldn't know what to do if I just left her life completely.

I want to be with her so bad, and we still talk just as much as we did when we were a couple. She still tells me she loves me and is always apologizing for this whole thing. She says that she doesn't know what the future will hold but for now she thinks it's better if we remain friends. I brought up that girls often use the "I need to find myself" excuse when they've fallen out of love and/or want to explore their options. She promised me she doesn't want a relationship at all right now, and if she did she couldn't picture it with anyone else but me.

So here's the question: should I continue being friends with her even though it hurts? I know I shouldn't have to wait for her, but she's really the only person I want and can't imagine anyone else being as perfect for me as she is. I want her to be able to find happiness within herself, but I still am hoping she'll realize she can do that while she's with me :/

What should I say to her?