My oldest son says I’m the most rational person on the planet, but I’m also very much an idealist and a romantic. I would best describe myself as a “Rational Romantic”. I’m not looking for perfection in a partner. That’s not possible or even desirable. It is a curious thing about love that often the most endearing qualities about your mate are the eccentricities – the differences - sometimes complementary, sometimes totally disparate.
Values – Shared values are the key to a long term relationship. Integrity is a must. No relationship can work without honesty and mutual trust. More than that, you should be fair, respectful and truly care about people. Also, don’t settle for the status quo; actively try to make things better in whatever you do. I am human and sometimes I get mad, act thoughtlessly, forget things that I shouldn’t – all the things that separate us from perfection. But I do try and if I mess up, I’m the first to admit it and try and make it better.
But how does one get to a long term relationship? It starts with a physical attraction. To say otherwise, would be to divorce oneself from reality. Plus, we’re on a Singles site. The first thing that we see is the other person’s picture. Am I Beautiful? Cute? Attractive? Are you handsome? A static picture can only portray a small portion of ones beauty. The right person can become more handsome/beautiful as the relationship deepens and you start to see the “whole person”. Love is hard to define because there is that “spark, chemistry, or whatever you call it” that separates friendship from romantic love. Our experience should be realistic--in this age bracket, we should expect to see a little thicker waists and a few more wrinkles. I glory in the changes of life left behind from children and jobs; the years, gravity, high pressure jobs and just day to day living have taken a toll on all of us so we should have dialed back our expectations from those of our youth.
Different expectations, on the part of two partners in any aspect of a relationship, is a recipe for discord. Even if you still look great, a photo from 10 years or 10 pounds ago sets up unreal expectations. So the same “you”, in person can get a radically different response just because you "over promised."
Sex - The 800 lb Gorilla that no one talks about. It certainly is not something to base a relationship on but it can be and should be an integral part of a long term romance. It is the ultimate in physical closeness and an intimacy that you only share as a couple. (br /)Humor - is an important part of my life. It's real serious out there right now. If we take a step back and get a different perspective. It's easy to find the humor in our own actions and the world around us.
Ideal match: I'm looking for a whole man - a person who is confident and comfortable with who himself - able to find the joy in life. We need not agree on everything or have the exact same interests. I am respectful of thoughts and beliefs that don't mirror my own. Perhaps, we'll even develop new interests together.
If you have gotten this far you also are tolerant and patient - two other important attributes. If you can see yourself next to me in the above verbal picture of myself, then send me an e-mail.
