Making a list and checking it twice.

Another pictureless post today.

So... I've been seriously single for the a bit more than four years now. (Wow. Time flies whether you're having fun or not.) It's been a period of growth for me, with lots of changes, both spiritually, (learning to to trust who is really in control of my life...) financially (a job lay off, a career change, and a chance at following my bliss) and physically (moving, and moving, and moving again.) Through all of these changes, I have been flying solo for the most part, only this past year venturing out to attempt (rather feebly at times) entering the boy-girl-dating world. So far, I'm having a whole lotta fun, but still....

My daughter did a blog post that got me thinking. Really thinking. She made a thoughtful and honest list of qualities she wanted in a man, and the idea was that you've got to put it out there before you can find it.

Anyway.

That made sense to me. (You know, I listened and watched the Secret about four years ago, and I feel like it's a way of putting your faith out there.) The truth is, one of my own friends had given me the exact same advice my daughter was given quite a few months ago, but I never really sat down and tried to think about what qualities would be on such a list. The fact is, I wasn't sure really how to make such a list. After all, it's been a million years since I thought about picking a match, and now that I am out there, swimming in the deep end of the dating pool....I'm not even sure my picker still works. (Will I ever meet him? Could he be someone I already know?)

That being said, my daughter's blog post peaked my interest, and got me wondering (hoping?) about the chances of me ever finding my to-the-finish-line special someone. Her blog post was good food for thought. Surprisingly, when I read my daughter's list I realized I was looking for very nearly the same qualities in a man that she was. (Although obviously I am looking at men twenty to thirty years older!) Here was her list, in no particular order, with a few edits and tweaks to make it my own:

Loving and kind hearted

Likes to laugh and have a lot of fun, even if we're only watching TV

Considerate and thoughtful

Smart but not arrogant or too nerdy (aka boring)

Communicative (I'm not a mind reader and I'd like to know what he's thinking)

A family man- if he has kids,even if they are grown kids, he cares about them and takes an active roll in their lives

Must love dogs, (Okay, at least Big Yellow Dogs)

Financially stable, preferably with a job he likes and enjoys

Supportive of whatever I want to do even if he doesn't always "get" it. (and this also covers not being intimidated by the strong independent woman I can be at times, and tolerating the messes I can make while doing a project)

Someone I can completely be myself with.

A man that appreciates the good qualities I have and let's me know it.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Okay, I'm putting it out there. Now, I just need to keep the faith that my picker's not broken.