What I Want: A Modern-Day Dating Checklist

I want someone who will send a random message that’s thoughtful and has no hidden agenda. One that was sent just because they were thinking of me.

I want someone whose idea of the perfect day is just walking around and wandering the city together. Doing nothing in particular, but just enjoying sharing the day with each other.

I want someone who will make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. Where my eyes are filled with tears as they stream down my face and we’re so out of breath that we can barely even speak words.

I want someone who will call me at the end of the day, just to catch up and see how things are. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long conversation; just a nice chat to say ‘hi’ and ‘how are you?’.

I want someone who asks me about my family, and where I come from. And one who is open about this information about themselves, too. Someone who willingly shares that information because it makes up who they are.

I want someone who can hold an intellectual conversation. Someone who has an opinion, and will challenge me to think about things in a different way. Someone who isn’t afraid to voice their thoughts and point of view, even if they don’t always reflect mine.

I want someone who will introduce me to new things. Share new experiences with me – show me the world through their eyes. Where we can build memories from days we claim to be ‘the best day ever’.

I want someone who has no interest in playing games. Someone who acts their age (for the most part) and is direct with where their head is at. Someone who doesn’t make me question how they feel about things.

I want someone whose kiss gives me butterflies; one that leaves me wanting more. Someone who will peck me on the forehead or cheek, just because. A kiss that I can look forward to.

I want someone who will dance with me shamelessly, without caring who sees how silly we look. Someone who will put on their goofy hat and dancing shoes and just enjoy the moment.

I want someone who will reach for my hand to hold. Whether we’re walking down the street, or sharing a cup of coffee, or hanging around with friends, just someone wanting to hold hands.

I want someone whose hug conceals me like a fleece blanket in the dead of winter. A hug that feels so secure, and so air-tight, that nothing in the world could ever get to me.

I want someone who will come over in the spur of the moment, just to lie in bed and do nothing at all. To enjoy watching TV in bed, or reading a book, while we just spend the time giving our bodies some rest together.

I want someone who finds enjoyment in going out with friends and spending too much money at the bar, but someone who also finds equal enjoyment in a night-in, where we stay in our sweats on the couch.

I want someone who can not only spend time with my friends, but accept them as friends of their own; someone who doesn’t need me around to enjoy their company.

I want someone who has my dad’s cell number in his phone, whether he ever uses it or not. Someone who feels comfortable reaching out to him with any kind of question, without me having to facilitate.

I want someone who understands the need to spend time apart. Someone who can appreciate the need for girls’ night. Someone who lets us miss each other a little.

I want someone who will actually tell me they miss me when they do. A person who shares how they feel, and isn’t embarrassed about opening up to each other.

I want someone who supports my decisions, choices, and goals. Where I can feel like no matter what I do – and whether I succeed or fail – they will be there to go through it with me, with optimism.

I want someone who has a passion of their own; something I may not be able to share with them, but can support them in. Someone who finds the drive and motivation to spend hours gushing about this one thing they could never get enough of.

I want someone, who above all else, sees me for who I am and accepts me that way. Someone who doesn’t try to change me, or hold my flaws against me – but someone who takes me, for me.