What a Girl Wants (age 18)
In general, he has to be 6′ tall, 170 lbs with no history of male pattern baldness in his family. I can’t be seen with an old-looking guy with “ring around the head!” He should have brown hair and eyes, but hazel eyes are okay too. He should be a little older and mature, around age 22 or 23. He should be majoring in law, medicine, or engineering. He should be very spiritual and want to be a bishop or something someday.
I will work at the mall while he goes to college. (If I work at Abercrombie and Fitch we’ll get a 50% discount off our clothes!) We will have 3 kids, all spaced 2 years apart. We can live next door to my parents and get free babysitting, so we can go to the movies and stuff! I’ll keep going to college after we get married, if my dad will pay for it, since it’s a good idea to get an education, and we shouldn’t go into debt. I think I’ll major in elementary education so I can teach our children at home. Also, my husband should bring me flowers and take me on dates every Friday, just to show he loves me, and to keep the love alive.
What a Young Woman Wants (age 24)
I wish for a man that understands that in no fashion world do navy blue and black match, and doesn’t just wear polo shirts and khaki pants. I’d like a guy who uses fewer styling products in his hair than I do. I’d like a man who doesn’t spend every night playing video games with his roommates (but I won’t hold my breath). I’d like a man who loves the Lord… actually, I require a man who loves the Lord. I won’t waste my time on a guy who doesn’t.
I would like a guy to notice the effort that went into looking good for him today. I love a man who can make me laugh until root beer comes out of my nose, and then promptly hands me a napkin, because, after all, it is his fault! I would like a guy who understands that “ESPN” is not a hobby. Is it really so much to ask for a charming guy with good sensibilities and a nice smile that isn’t looking for a Barbie doll? I want a man who wants me to know everything about him–the good, the bad, the ugly, and the stuff he never wants his guy friends to know about. He needs to be fun and out-going, and want to travel the world with me. Who really wants to stay at home for the rest of their lives anyway?
I want him to be creative and ask me out to do really interesting and new things, like scavenger hunts in the city. I want a man with blue, green, brown, or hazel eyes, and a smile that sends chills down my spine. I’d like a guy who can remember birthdays and anniversaries, and wants to celebrate them.
What a Woman Wants (age 29)
I’d like a man who respects my right to express my opinion freely. I’d like a man who isn’t afraid to express his opinion. I want him to realize that it’s possible for us to have different opinions even if we don’t agree on everything. I want a man that isn’t afraid to show me he likes me.
I need a man who believes in excellence and isn’t afraid to strive for it. I would like a man who brushes his teeth and shaves before a date. I would like a guy to not be afraid to talk to me! I would like a guy who can give and take a compliment. I want a man with intelligence and street smarts. He absolutely must have common sense and some street smarts. I need a man who fits me like yin and yang.
It’s okay if his hairline is receding or he’s shaved it all off to pretend he isn’t balding. I would like to see a man blush when I smile at him. I want a man who owns at least five hardback books.
I would like a man to ask me to help him. I want a man to come right out and admit that I intimidate him, in a good way, of course. I want us to feel grateful every time we see each other, like both us can’t believe our incredible luck at being with each other and finding each other. I want a guy who will roll down a hill with me.
I need a man with the strength to be the man of the house without the ego that would say we’re not full partners…because we are. I want a man who respects everyone as much as he goes out of his way to respect me. He has to be nice to animals. He doesn’t have to like them, just be nice to them. He has to love small children and want to start a family soon.
What a Woman Wants When She Has Passed the Age of Revealing Her Age:
I need a sincere and honest man. I do not have the time to waste my life on a man who can’t reach emotional intimacy or is dishonest about his money, ambitions, or testimony. I do not want a man with a bushy, hairy nose or ears, but if he has them, I hope he’ll laugh ruefully when I give him the nose hair trimmer for Christmas as a joke. (But he should use it if necessary). I want a man who will fall asleep on my shoulder, and will hold me when I fall asleep on his. I would like a man to tell me I’m smart and he respects me.
Really, I just want to be loved.
*Special thanks to Juli Caldwell, Erin’s old writing partner, for digging this piece up from the archives.*
Erin Ann McBride is a writer, dreamer, and blogger. Check out her newest book, “You Heard It Here First,” a romantic political thriller with conservative values and a good sense of humor!
She enjoys blogging at Swing State Voter , all things pop culture, all things 80’s, and watching canceled science fiction TV series. She is a native of Washington, D.C., and currently resides in Roanoke, Va.
