MEMO TO MEN: Great Expectations.

TO: Men all over the planet
FROM: Melissa
RE: What to expect?
DATE: February 22, 2010

A reader posed this question to me last week…

I agree, no one should have to lower their standards, but there is something to be said for being more realistic with your expectations? There are very few “princes” riding around on white horses looking for women to marry. You are going to have to put yourself out there and do something that makes you uncomfortable at some point. I look forward to reading when you take action instead of making believe.

Boys, boys, boys. I honestly don’t know how I can get this through your heads: My expectations are nothing that you can’t live up to. I know you can. I have faith in you. I’m not asking you to fly me to the moon, to buy me sets of diamonds and pearls or even take me on an extravagant romantic getaway to Paris.
Who says that all fairytales have to be grand, full of pomp and circumstance? They don’t. The entire allure of a fairytale is because it’s your dream – whatever that may be – coming true. For you. It could be a whirlwind European romance (not me), or it could be watching the sun set and sharing a glass of root beer (SO me, isn’t it?). I won’t ever apologize for believing in fairytales, especially my own.

I’m an independent and content girl, and honestly, I don’t need any of that to make me happy. But what I do need is for you to make me happy. Isn’t that really all anyone wants from another human being? To feel that chemistry, that spark, that lightbulb moment?

I don’t know. Maybe that scares you? It shouldn’t, and if it does, I suspect that reflects your own insecurities. I can’t exactly help you sort out that kind of baggage.

But, I do fail to see how these expectations are too much to ask…
*A respectful man
*A responsible man
*A man who doesn’t give excuses for everything
*A man I can talk to who won’t judge…and might even find my sense of humor funny (dare I add charming… )
*A man who makes me laugh and smile
*A man who lets me be who I am

Now, that doesn’t seem like such a grand demand, does it? I know he’s (or I guess I should say you’re) out there somewhere, and I will find him (you someday. And if I don’t, well, at last I’ll still be able to make myself laugh. xoxo

P.S. And who says a guy with a disability won’t ride up on a white horse for me someday? Come on!

[Photos via happythings]