enjoys the holidays as much as I do?

Can I find a man who enjoys the holidays as much as I do?

Because if he doesn't, boy is he gonna get sick of me during November and December.

Let's put it this way, it is November 9th and I have already had 4 hot chocolates, made my Christmas list, watched 2 Christmas movies, and I've been listening to Christmas tunes at work pretty much all week. 

And I am just getting started.

Here's the other thing - I have very important traditions during the holidays.  Things I MUST do and MUST see.  Here are a few things that my dream man could do to make me happy during the holidays:

Take me here:

Rockefeller Center is a must.  I don't need to skate, but I want to look at the rink and the tree and take in the magic of the biggest tree in the city.

Take me here:

The Time Warner building puts up these beautiful stars that play a little light show to Christmas music.  My heart flutters with joy. 

Take me here:

 The UNICEF snowflake outside of Tiffany & Co.  So pretty.

Take me to see this:

A nice boy took me as a birthday present my first year in NYC.  And I go back every year.  You may think that's weird, but it really puts me in the Christmas spirit!

Go Christmas shopping with me with a quick stop at L.A. Burdick for some of the best hot chocolate in the universe.  :)  At least so far.  I can't claim I've tried every hot chocolate in the universe.  Feel free to give me some suggestions if you think you know one that's better.

This is just a few things you can do to win me over during the holidays.  I'm not even going to go into decorating, music or gifts (except I will say - make it something from the heart over something you think will impress me!  c'mon now!  it's the THOUGHT that counts - isn't that what we all say?) because that will just make this post go on way too long.

Anyway, my point.  Holidays.  Good things.  Yes please.  Don't get sick of me.

Votes?

Can I find a man who votes?

Who is educated about the candidates, cares about our country and how it is run, and makes an effort to make his own voice heard?

The particular beliefs honestly aren't quite as important to me.  There are a few that may be deal-breakers, but I can respect a different opinion than my own. 

And I'm not just talking voting for President!  I want someone who votes in every election - and knows why he's voting for whoever he picks.  It's worth doing research on these things.

And I bet you, if he does research on politicians, he does research on other important things.  So really, it's just proving what a thoughtful guy he is. 

Regardless of how the election turned out in your opinion, I hope you voiced your opinion and voted yesterday.  Let's hope and pray for progress, people.  Regardless of who is at the head.  The country's welfare is most important here!

(stepping off the soapbox now.)

keeps me company during a hurricane?

Can I find a man who keeps me company during a hurricane? 

For the next one?  Because last week it was just me and the dog.

Sorry I have been out of touch - but if you haven't heard, a hurricane ROCKED the East Coast and I was right in the thick of it.  Power is on now, subways are running and this girl is back on the hunt for the man of her dreams.

You'll hear from me again soon - but at this point, all I ask is for a man who will stick by me during a big ol' natural disaster.

leaves me handwritten notes for me to find?

Can I find a man who leaves me handwritten notes for me to find?

One of the most stupidly romantic and adorable things that someone has ever done for me was to stick a little handwritten "I love you" note into my suitcase when I was going out of town without him. I mean, talk about sweet. I open up my bag and I am rummaging through my things and I stumble upon a post-it.

 

 

Just a perfect little reminder that this guy wanted me to know he would miss me while I was gone. 

Sigh....he won me over right then and there.

And then months later, he broke my heart....but I'll always remember his little notes...even if I threw them out in a fit of anger after we broke up.  It's the thought that counts, I guess.

will make me a mix tape?

Can I find a man who will make me a mix tape?

Remember that?  When we felt like our feelings just couldn't be expressed any better than through someone else's love song lyrics?

If you have a good taste in music (and I pray that you do if I'm going to try to date you), a mix tape is a perfect way to make a girl go weak in the knees.  Truly.  I've had some amazing mix tapes in my life - I'm lucky like that.  And every time, I melt into a puddle of goo after I listen to them.

But, be aware:

We will analyze every lyric, every word even, for some secret glimpse into your soul and your feelings for us.  So you must choose carefully.  One wrong song and you send the girl into a panic attack.  So please, no Sir Mix-A-Lot.  Nothing with a "friend" theme.  And make sure the song isn't about breaking up.  Some of those break up tunes say some really sweet things before they drop the bomb.

In conclusion: a mixtape, when executed well, is the most adorable old-school way to make a girl swoon.

remembers the little things in a conversation?

Can I find a man who remembers the little things in a conversation?

I find that a man can SHOCK me with this ability.

For instance:

We are having a conversation.  I mention in passing that I am going out on Friday with my friend, X, for cupcakes.  He's never met X; doesn't know who X is.  I also happen to mention that X has been feeling down because the guy she's been seeing has turned out to be a total butthead.  Conversation continues on to other things.

Saturday, guy asks me "Is X feeling better?  Did the cupcakes help her get over the butthead guy?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You remembered all that?  You were listening that closely to what I was saying?? 

Now, maybe you feel that this shouldn't be shocking.  Maybe YOU feel like every guy should be able to do this.  Well, let me tell you something:

EVERY GUY IS NOT ABLE TO DO THIS.

Maybe you have just lucked out and you have a man who really listens to everything you say.  And CARES.  But there are lots of gentlemen out there (who may be really great guys!  honestly!) who just sort of zone out when it's not something of interest to them. 

Also - a bonus point for this attribute?  If you casually mention something (i.e. oh, i have remember to pick up my drycleaning after work today!  i keep forgetting!) and guy is so freaking sweet that he sends you an email at 4:55pm (right before you leave work) saying "don't forget about your drycleaning!" or something cute to that effect.

I mean, can't you just feel the warm fuzzies?  From a guy who listens?  Who isn't a licensed therapist?

Amen.

is a creative gift giver?

Can I find a man who is a creative gift giver? 

For example:

Today I went to lunch with a dear friend - who I am hopelessly attracted to and he lives miles and miles away - and almost every single time I see him, he has some little gift for me.  (Yes, gentlemen, he is that guy.  That guy that makes you look bad.)  Always something little and sweet.  Flowers, a book, a card, what have you. 

So today, he presents me with this: 

A perfect, tiny pumpkin.

I mean, how adorable is that?  Seriously?  Seriously.  That is so flipping cute.  I just about melted into a puddle of goo.

Here's my point, guys.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.  It just has to have some thought behind it.  He knows me well enough to know I would love this.  And it's quirky and cool and makes me think "what an amazing guy". 

His mission: accomplished.

And now I'm over here swooning about it. 

knows how to dress himself?

Can I find a man who knows how to dress himself? 

And when I say this, I mean dress himself WELL.  He doesn't have to be perfect - I love just jeans and a t-shirt on a guy.  But...every so often, when you're taking me out, can you look a little something like this:

 Or this:

Or (ohmygoshilovethislooksomuch) this:

Is it obvious I have a type? 


But I'll say, even this is sexy:

(And not just because it's Johnny Depp...but because it's a LOOK and he pulls it off like WHOA.)

But seriously, a man who knows how to dress well is really hot.  Plus it makes me want to dress up so we look like a super fabulous couple!  And isn't that fun?




Photo credits:
http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Jack-QA-front.jpg
http://nanugist.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/jcrew_s2010.jpg?w=460
http://lovesthat.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/banana-republic-mens-shawl-collar-cardigan.jpg?w=225&h=300
http://en.amerikanki.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Johnny-Depp-in-white-T-shirt-and-jeans.jpg

texts you with messages worth responding to?

Can I find a man who texts you with messages worth responding to?

Example:

.........what is that?


Honestly, I don't want to respond to a text like that.  "Hey"  "Hi"  "Yo"

I mean, it's like you're initiating conversation but you just don't care enough to ask a question or tell me something interesting.  "hey, what's up" is more acceptable - and even that sort of bugs me.

Why are you texting me?  "Hey" tells me nothing.  Here are some better options:

"How is your day going?"
"Hey beautiful!  What are you up to today?"
"You're so gorgeous and I just can't stop thinking about you.  PS How are you?"
"Would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"
"Pitch Perfect is playing at 8PM at the AMC - Want to see it with me?"
"I am choking.  Call 911."
"Had a great time on our super romantic date last night.  Call me!"
"Do you like Korean food?"


...there are two things all of these messages have in common. 

1)  They are made up of more than 3 letters.
2)  They each have a subject and a verb.

C'mon guys.  Make a little bit of effort, please.  I promise, it pays off.

admits the way to his heart is through is stomach?

Can I find a man who fully admits the way to his heart is through his stomach?

I love to cook.  I think I'm pretty good at it.  I'm no Julia Child, mind you, but I can hold my own! 

I make a mean pasta sauce. 

I love to bake. 

I'll whip up some delicious pancakes in the morning.

And I want a man who loves to sit down to a meal made by ME!  And then tells me how great it is.  And how it may even be (gasp!) better than his mother's recipe.

Oh yeah.  I went there.




Photo credit: http://thefoodillusion.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/pasta-2b.jpg
Photo credit: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQri5Fn46d9OT2pLtmg8y9nPtwz1OPkZFhx6i23J5rlJoqouVQP
Photo credit: http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/pancakes.jpg