Practically the same amount of time I've had mine. :lol I waited a long time. A long, long time. Unfortunately, I'm one of the few people in my group that own one, and one of my buds just got his stolen (because he brought it into work and left it in his easily accessible locker...why...wwhhhyyyy - intelligence would say never EVER do that).
My first Rune Factory was Rune Factory Frontier. I still haven't beaten that game, or had Raguna marry someone, because I love all the girls' character designs. The fact it was so bloody long and hard to get where I am in the game too, and that I only get one save, hasn't helped. Then I bought RF 2 and was horribly disappointed. I actually stopped a day after playing it. Then came RF 3...Yes...Yes yes yes. It beat out Frontier and I fell in absolute love immediately with Pia. Then came Tides of Destiny and that was fun gameplay wise, but the girls and relationships were lacking compared to previous. Even the farming aspect took a hard hit. But I still loved running around with 3 monsters that I chose; was a blast fighting shit.
I might indeed give Monster Hunter a try. I've only got 2 games for the 3DS so far: Code of Princess (super short game, but again - I love the characters. Probably one of the few games I enjoy the guy along with all the lovely ladies, since he has a unique design, great comic relief, and actually kicked arse in fights). And Harvest Moon: A New Beginning. Which is...not...Rune Factory. At all. Kindof boring. Hella boring infact. Merr... I should go get Fire Emblem or something.