My Next Husband Will . . . .

Someone once told me that if I write my wishes down, they're more likely to manifest. Not sure that I totally believe that idea, but what the heck. In the summer of 2007, I was busy doing a lot of traveling, thinking about who I was, and what I wanted in life. It seemed like the thoughts were coming so rapidly that I couldn't keep track of them. So, I bought a little journal I could keep in my purse, and would be able to jot things down as they came to me, and to record things I very much wanted to remember. As I look back through this little journal, I see that I was sometimes good about recording important things, and there is some great happiness in it. I also see where some things were too difficult to write about, so I started them, but never finished. There is also sadness, like when my step-father died. Big thoughts, little thoughts, there are all kinds there. Interestingly though, I dedicated the first 6-8 pages to one category alone. It was titled, "My Next Husband Will . . . " Throughout the years, as they strike me, I will write something down that I want to remember later. Something that I don't want to forget just because I'm in the throes of passion and romance with a new love. Ok, that might be a bit much, but it's all the little things we think won't matter, after all, it's love, right?

Some of the things on the list are silly little things, and not deal breakers. Many obviously just popped into my mind based on the circumstances of the time I wrote them. Some of them though are big things, and definitely deal breakers. These things fall in no particular order of importance. They just appear as they came to me. Of course I don't expect any man to meet all of them, but I'll have to be sure to stick with the non-negotiables. I've settled enough in my past, so I'm guessing it's good to have a list.

So let it be written, so let it manifest . . .

1. make me smile and laugh
2. dance with me (in private is fine -- nice & slow)
3. give massages without complaint
4. he will have friends, and will be happy to cross friendships between us (my ex didn't really know how to have friends)
5. MUST love to visit New Orleans (it's my hometown, and if you can't enjoy the music, atmosphere, fun, people, and even the filth of it, that's a problem)
6. MUST love my boys
7. listen to me
8. genuinely care about me
9. emotionally support me
10. enjoy my company
11. TALK with me/discussions
12. be HONEST
13. be strong minded, but not at the expense of others
14. like to read
15. love all kinds of music
16. enjoy both going out, and staying in with me
17. respect me
18. respect some "alone time"
19. do chores around the house without saying he's "helping" me --- that implies that it's all my job, and he's just helping out
20. enjoy yard work enough to get it done, or hire someone to do it
21. love to travel!
22. be willing to tolerate my mini-history lessons
23. hold my hand
24.  put his arm around me
25. affectionately acknowledge me in public (just subtly)
26. enjoy drinking, not to an extreme, just enjoy a beer or a glass of wine, or several
27. be a little spontaneous
28. enjoy my Irish music
29. be willing to let me shop (which I don't do much of anyway) for things that "speak to me"--- especially jewelry, art, music, and books --- things you can never have too much of
30. Not be grossed out by my naked body! Love it anyway.
31. be a patient traveler
32. have the same or similar political perspective
33. enjoy high school football games of my students
34. enjoy football, but not be stupid about it
35. be able to fix things around the house, or at least have the sense to know when to call someone to do it
36. know when to just hold me and let me cry, and support me
37. be patient
38. enjoy life, and have a positive attitude
39. be down to earth and somewhat practical
40. have common sense
41. not be absent physically or emotionally
42. be a man of faith
43. love making love with me

Pretty good start, huh? Lol. Well, it may be a lot to ask for, but why not ask?