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I make this solemn vow, that I will find my way to the meet market tomorrow, somehow.


I know that by going to a singles ward, especially one of the larger, more well know ones in the valley, while waiting for Hannah is like going into the belly of the beast, but I'm not afraid.  I have some weapons on my side.


First, I'm painfully shy.  Before I ever initiate a conversation with a female I spend my fair share of time trying to scout things out, judging the personality and what-not.  I don't feel awkward very often, nearly every time I do it's because mid-conversation I realize I have nothing in common with this person and see that the interaction is slowly headed towards a fiery crash.  It always reminds me of those lame texters where the conversation goes like this: You: "So are you excited to be back home?"  Them: "Yeah :)"  Conversation killed.  All the while, I think it's important to be able to savor the silences, I always feel like people who can't stand the silence are hiding something.


Then, I'm actually pretty picky, and let's be honest with each other, physical attractiveness is 100% of the first impression.  Sure it's not the only thing, once the mouth opens the stock could rise or fall considerably.  But in the fraction of a second you first make eye contact will all know judgments have been made.  First up, I've decided, as I've mentioned before, really anyone under about 5'6" is out.  More than a nine inch height difference is just too much, I don't feel like having to wear a neck brace later in life from all that bending down to kiss you.  Not only that, you're not a child, I don't like having to look down on you, I get uncomfortable.  I'd say, ideally, 5'8 to 5'10 is just right, any taller and I feel like I'm taking away your opportunity to wear heels. 


After height, I've found my number two judgment is on the hair.  I'm not really sure why, maybe it's because it's the only facial feature you can see from any direction.  Hairstyles definitely vary by the person, I do tend to lean towards longer, straight hairstyles, but I will say that there's something about a girl who can pull off a ponytail.  I know, girls always go to the 'tail at the gym, at work, on a bad hair day.  It's like the go-to "blah" hairstyle for girls, but I find it very attractive.


I know for girls weight is an important issue, it's like the 3-digit number from hell(I hope it's 3-digits if you're taller than, like, 5'2").  But I'll let you in on a little secret, guys don't put any stock in the number on the scale.  Why do you think we're always flexing in the mirror?     Hannah, for instance, is a lurp, long arms, long legs, long torso.  Personally I find that adorable.  Hmmm... Legs, add that to my number one most attractive trait...


Another thing is make-up, the less the better.  The more different you look without it the less I'm interested, unless it's tattooed to your face you'll spend more time without than with.  Hannah used to pull the whole "cat eyes" thing back in high school, not a big fan.  I say, if I can tell you're wearing make up it's probably too much, I'm not a big fan of eye-liner, eye shadow, or lipstick.


As far as non-physical features, I have to say, I tend to be attracted to the girls who flew under the radar in high school.  The best type of girls are the ugly ducklings, The girls who had more on their minds in high school than boys and looking cute.  That's how I'd hope to raise any future daughters I may have.  I'm all about intelligence.  I love to argue current events, lot's of times I'll play devil's advocate just to instigate.  I mean, who hasn't walked away from an debate over a big topic, religion, ethics, government, and finished with their heart pumping with all the excitement?  I like a good mental challenge.  I also like an open-mind.  Nothing is a larger turn off for me than someone with the My-way-or-the-highway, with-me-or-against-me mindset.  I feel there is merit in any opinion, and sometimes you can use another's differing opinion to streamline your own.  You can't do that if you're not listening.


Now I know a lot of debate is always stirred up with this topic, so I'll try to be clear.  I'm not down with the girls who are just floating 'til marriage.  I don't plan to have kids right after I get married, I plan to get my marriage down pack before I add in a variable like that.  What would a woman do during those  years before children?  I like a girl with passion and ambition.  Sure, being a mother is the most important job a woman can have, but I would want my wife to be more than a person fabrication machine.  Plus I think there are real world experiences in college or in a career that can be priceless to pass on to your children.


Finally, my type is not Molly Mormon.  There's nothing wrong with those girls at all, in fact, I respect them.  However, I'm also intimidated by them.  I think we all know people who are these spiritual giants, some people are attracted to that, others aren't.  It's not to say spirituality is a turn off for me, it's a necessity.  But from past experience I think I'm just not the type who works well with that type.  I'm too skeptical, too malleable for a relationship to be successful.  Here it's important to just agree to disagree sometimes.  Hannah has decided she's not going to watch rated-R movies.  I honor that, I would never ask her to change, even if it does frustrate me sometimes.  I just watch them on my own.


All in all, I know you're never going to find your "dream companion."  A good wife/husband isn't the person who meets all of your preferences, they're the one whose faults you can most easily live with.  Really, I should list faults in order of worst to least.

I've allowed this to drag on far too long, but I hope it was comprehensive.  Now to bed, church is in the morning.