Some Things I'm Looking For In a Woman

Stablity: If she has so many mood swings that I always feel like I'm walking on egg shells, that's not going to work.  I need someone with mental stability.  An occasional fit is fine and expected, but my mood is often a direct reflection of someone else's...I'm a bit of an empath that way.  So I'd prefer a woman who had a more happy-go-lucky attitude.  Compassion: If I'm ever having a bad day or am down and out for some reason, I want someone who is comforting/caring and understanding.  Someone who knows that I'm just going through a rough patch and that it isn't how I am *all* of the time.  I do that for others, so I would expect them to do that for me as well.  Passion: I'll admit, I like a woman who likes to be physical.  Whether it's holding hands, cuddling on the couch, the occasional kissing, or rolling around pretending to be bunnies, I want someone who is going to love me so much to where she just WANTS to do that stuff naturally, without ever feeling like I'm coercing her into it or anything.  Someone who wants me as much as I want her.  Children: She has to love and want children.  Period.  She also has to realize that ground rules need to be set when it comes to kids, because if you give them an inch, they will take a mile.  Also, I feel as though giving a kid chores when they're REALLY young so they are used to them and won't fuss and fume as much when they get older will help them be a more cohesive part of the family by helping out, and also will prepare them for the future when they have to go to work one day.  I didn't get that when I was growing up and was quite spoiled, and after analyzing everything, I think I may have turned out a little better if I was started out on chores at an early age.  I also think doing different things can help kids learn about how to do things overall, which I think is a good thing.  Now, I don't mean all work and no play--definitely not.  You're only a kid once, so you should enjoy it.  Definitely.  Kids are a joy to be around and they should be able to express themselves *as* kids but, at the same time, throw them an adult chore every now and then so they can get accustomed to that sort of stuff.  Problems: My theory is....first you try and see if a compromise can be met when you have a disagreement so both people can at least get a little of what they each want.  If you can't, you throw BOTH people's ideas out the window and try and form a brand new idea together.  I'm SO tired of people jumping ship over stupid things.  I want stability in a marriage.  Someone who is going to stay on that boat with me and realize that, yes, we're going to have to go through some storms, but when they're over with, the skies will be clear and everything will be fine again.  To me, marriage =s a forever commitment, and I am not the type of person who would EVER want a divorce UNLESS someone was being unfaithful to me or started really bad habits like drugs or something.  Humor: She HAS to have a good sense of humor, because I'm often trying to be funny.  I don't always succeed, but I do try.  Compatibility: We have to have at least some things in common, so we have some things to do other than the naked two-step tango all of the time.  I mean, don't get me wrong, intimacy is a blast when you're with the right person, but I'm not all about that.  I like watching movies, occasionally traveling to cute little historic towns, going to museums, gardens, maybe even an occasional theme park, etc., etc.  So, we have to like at least some things that we can do together when time, money, and energy permits without the other person fussing, you know what I mean?  Habits: Can't be a smoker, can't do drugs (And yes, I consider marijuana a drug, and can't be a heavy drinker.  An occasional drink is fine, but I frown on any more because I like to be with people who I KNOW are thinking for themselves and not letting the alcohol talk for them.  Besides, if *I* can have fun and be a goof-ball without alcohol, she should be able to do the same thing.  If not, then something in her personality would definitely be lacking for me.  Love: She has to believe in this.  Attitude: Happy, go-lucky attitude, with a really sweet and emotional side.  One that believes in romance as well and is touched by it.  Thoughts: She has to be open and honest, and TELL me what I need to know.  I'm a lousy guesser, and although I know most women WANT a guy to be able to read them, I rarely can.  Women are way too complex for that sort of thing.  Sex: Has to be someone who doesn't see it as an expectations sort of thing, but rather a fun, flirty, trial-and-error sort of thing.  It takes a while before you know how someone's body does/does not work and what it takes to make both of your experiences magical.  This is something I've definitely learned.  Guys, well, we have like one button on a computer that needs to be pressed, whereas many women have about 100.  If not more.  LOL.  You're a LOT more complicated than we are in that respect.  Hmmm....well, I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of for the time being.  Oh, one more thing.  Body: I want someone who is going to take care of herself because although, yes, I do want to continue liking to look at her, I think being healthier is also a way to keep the other person around longer, and I WANT to be with my future wife a long, long time.  So, if she eats like crap and it starts to show, I want her to be smart enough to tell herself things have to change.  Once a person's metabolism changes in their mid 30s or so, they can't always eat the same kinds of things they ate as kids.  Period.  If I take care of myself, I want her to be able to do the same thing.  Because there's nothing more damaging to a relationship than the other person trying to get someone to change when they don't want to.  I've went down that road before and it does not work and just causes resentment.  So....I want a smart girl who can realize when things about herself need to be fixed.  I do that with myself, so I feel she should as well.  Intelligence: I don't want a woman who is going to blow my IQ off the map, but someone who can keep up with me intellectually.  Also, someone who is willing to learn about new subjects, because I often talk about things I know to keep the conversations rolling.