Love Me the Way I Need to be Loved.

Every relationship should have things, whether those "things" are actions, traditions, nicknames, I don't care, but they should be specific to the relationship.  These adorable quirks can form naturally, or they can be planned or molded to fit a certain criteria or expectation.  I recently reached out to my Facebook following... friends... and asked them to share with me some of their special moments.  The kind of moments that make you realize you are with the right person, no matter how big or small the deed.  Maybe it's just because I am naturally strange and unusual, and single, but many of these moments were very sweet, honest, and above all, generic, no offense if you are a cross-over reader ;-].  To be fair, since I have no idea how a person realistically shows one how they care about them, romantically, I've decided to share my own list, and you, my understanding reader, can now judge me, or more appropriately, start using these expectations of companionship in your relationship.

Ten Things I Want to Like About You, Future Man Friend

1. If you notice that I have left my lunch on the counter on my [late] way out of the house, surprise me by ordering me a pizza and having it delivered to my office.  I am a creature of habit, and I eat lunch at 12:00 PM, everyday.  Best to have it delivered around 11:45 so I am not already thinking of alternative menu options.  This does not have to be the case every time I forget, or more truthfully, just don't pack my lunch, but if it happens to be on a Monday, you've covered me for the week (or at least a few days of lunch - and snacking)!  This action shows that you know me to the core, and more importantly, that you care.

2. I will always be a homebody.  Nothing compares to a night in with a loved one.  You have to be okay with staying in with me on nights when nothing fits right and I've overspent my bank account.  This does not mean that it is going to be a quiet or lame night - we can marathon all of our geeky television or movie series (and we will like all of the same media), or engage in "adultified" versions of our favorite board games, just be warned, the drunker I get, the more competitive I get.  And, on that notes, admittedly, I will probably be more belligerently drunk that if we were to go out.  Alcohol, if I already bought it, then it's free, and if it's free, it's for me.

3. Read out loud to me when I express to you (and I will, frequently) that I want to read more, but have made no efforts to do so.  Whatever, I'm needy, no one is perfect.  And without making this odd request too taboo, I also like to be tucked it, so that should probably preface this request.

4. Buy me books.  If we are together, you should know what I enjoy without my assistance.  Write love letters in the cover of these books detailing to me why you chose it, and why you think I'll like it.  You should really do this for everyone, it's a lovely gesture, but only my book covers should be doubtlessly romantic.

5. Play Super Nintendo with me.  I love Super Nintendo.  And more notably, I never advanced to gaming systems that utilize a joystick.

6. Buy my movie ticket when we are at the theater.  I'll get the popcorn.  And blue slushie(s).  And whatever candy you like... but the candy will be bought prior to the film and stored in my giant purse with MY Reese's Pieces.

7. Play along with me and the surprises I plan, no matter how nerdy you anticipate the event, vacation, gesture, whatever, to be.  I promise, regardless of what it is I have in the works, it will be something we will both take pleasure in, you just have to trust me... Even if it means taking days off of work, when applicable.

8. Try new things with me.  This could easily be done, and most memorably, if we take a fun class together.  Improv, cooking, painting mugs that we will never use, it doesn't matter.  You tell me what you want to learn, and I want to learn it, too.

9. Talk to my friends, trust my friends, and above all, be fearful of my friends.  For some reason, beyond me, they actually really love me.  They will tell you what you need to know to understand me, survive me, and calm me down.  They will help you in your own quest to understand me better, and above all, they will tell you, honestly, when you are being a needle dick.

10. And last, but not least: Want to know me. Get to know me.  Know me better than I know myself.

A note for you, mystery man, I am willing to negotiate your expectations as well.  Whatever, they may be, pervert...

I am just assuming that "he" will be a pervert, because I know the kind of man I attract, and because I might be a little bit of a pervert, too.  That's it, folks.  Looks like a lot to read, but I am pretty sure I have the writing competency level of a dirty 7th grader.  Here's to a healthier and more personalized relationship, whether you use my recommendations for a better one, or not!