What I want in a partner...

Before February's gone completely, since this is the month of love, I've spent a bit of time trying to figure out what I really want in a partner.  I haven't had the chance to write too much about my last break up, mainly because the guy in question was still reading my blog.  Hopefully the fact that he's happily settled down with someone new now, means that he no longer feels the need to stalk me and follow up on what Jake and I get up to from day to day.  That said, it's a free world, I just know that if I was the "new" girlfriend, I wouldn't be too happy about it.  Anyway, before I say something I probably shouldn't this post isn't about ex's, and it's definitely not about ex-girlfriends, whom I believe belong well in the past.  Remind me to send you the link to my other blog for that story, once I get it going properly...

No, this post is all about ME and about what I want.  Me, me, me.  It's nice for a change.  Despite what most people might think, being single is GREAT!  I love not having to pack bags and toys and groceries and I love not having to cart my child across Cape Town every 5 minutes.  I love the amount of extra time Jake and I have and the amount of time we get to spend doing fun things on our own.  I love my child and there's absolutely NO way that I'll ever let anyone get in the way of our very special bond.  He is an amazing little guy and he is so game for adventure.  I love reading my book and not watching sport.  I LOVE not having to watch someone else sleep on the couch.  I love my garden and my home and I love making plans for what we're going to be buying and doing to make it more of a home this year.  I love being in my home and don't get me started on my gorgeous garden!

So, I'm still not getting to the point of what I want in a man.  Money.  And I don't just mean comfortable, my guy's gotta be loaded.  I know money's not the beginning and end of everything and you just have to see my home and car to know that I'm the least materialistic person out there.  But since I'm describing my dream here, you just have to accept it that money is important.  I want to fly in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti and watch the wildebeest migration with Jake and I need someone who can afford to make our dreams a reality.  Don't get me wrong, I can follow these dreams for myself, but it would be way better if someone cared enough about me to want to make my dreams a reality and who could afford to do so.  I want someone who's sociable.  Someone who loves my family and friends and who's family and friends I adore.  I don't want complicated family who don't like each other and who ignore me when I greet them (another post for another time) I want someone who's crazy about me.  Someone who thinks I'm the most gorgeous woman on the face of the earth (little rolls and wrinkles and all) and who thinks it's fantastic that he can't keep his hands to himself.  I want someone who's not shy to hold my hand or kiss me in public.  I want someone who will take me out on dates!  At least once a week!!  I want someone who loves food and wine.  I don't mind someone being a little pudgy, but I don't like FAT.  I want someone who likes entertaining.  I want someone who's not a work-a-holic, someone who can take time off to go on a picnic or a holiday to one of our crazy destinations.  I want someone who takes care of himself and who's beautiful inside and out.  Totally irresistible!  I want a gentleman, who will open doors for me till I'm 95.  I don't want an ex-wife who will not go away.  I want someone who loves animals and children.  I think I want someone who already has children, someone who's never going to judge my child when he has a bad day, but who can help guide both Jake and I to reach our full potential.

OK, that's about it.  While there were plenty of fun times in between, the last 2 years have taught me a lot about what I don't want in a relationship.  The uncomplicated single life that I live now is not worth trading in for something that's not going to make me 110% happy.  I want it all or nothing!

Sending love

Sue XXX