So, just so you know, this is a real list. I'm way too authentic and, frankly, busy to spend time writing a bunch of crap I don't truly believe.
- He makes a big deal about it when I use emoticons. He understands that I view emoticons as foolish cartoons made for a generation of idiots who can't convey genuine emotion through words alone. But, I also understand that he appreciates it when I respond with a blushing smiley face after he says something sweet. Relationships are about compromise.
- Speaking of compromise, Milton will pretty much do anything I suggest, even if he doesn't want too. I haven't fully tested the limits of my power yet, but so far his standard response of "I'm happy to go if you want to" has applied to a hardcore concert in a sketchy part of town, line dancing, and my lame company Christmas party. Here we are at the concert. Milton said I could stop censoring his face, but I kind of like the mystery. It's like I'm dating someone in witness protection.
- For my part, I've agreed to go to a Garth Brooks concert if he can get tickets, and I recently went to a David Spade/Dennis Miller comedy show. Oh, who am I kidding - the comedy show was totally great, and I know I'd have fun at a Garth Brooks concert. So pretty much, Milton has asked nothing of me so far.
- He goes to church with me, and doesn't make it seem like a chore.
- He is incredibly protective of me, but not at all in a weird, possessive way. Case in point, we were at the hardcore concert in this super terrible part of OKC. I knew Milton would need to leave a little early due to a road trip with his family the next day. I had made arrangements with another friend at the concert to take me home after we were done with our post-show hanging out at whatever late night pancake house we landed at. Around 11, we were still at the concert. I told Milton to head out whenever he needed to because my girlfriend would take me home. I forget his exact words, but he said something to the effect of, "I'm not leaving you here. I'll take you wherever you and your friends are going after this, and then I will leave you there in a safe, well-lit establishment." The degree to which he cared about me not getting stabbed was really sweet.
- He doesn't just care about my safety, he also cares about my comfort. He's figured out that I'm always cold, and goes to great lengths to make sure I'm comfortable. At the last few movies we've seen together, he's held both of my hands to ward off frostbite. The other night at the comedy show, he carried his coat around the casino/venue (which he never wears a coat), because I didn't want my coat to smell like smoke. He knew I would get cold at different points throughout the evening, and he was right. We complete each other - I'm an ice-cube and he's a human heater.
- I trust him. The comedy show was 2+ hours away from OKC. We knew we'd be getting back super late. I slept the whole way home. That's definitely not something I could do with someone I didn't trust.
- He likes everything I cook, and he's even willing to eat leftovers. Need I say more?
- He makes my life easier. The other night, we were supposed to just hang out, watch a movie, and eat some leftover turkey chili. Pretty epic night if you ask me. He asked if there was anything he could bring besides a movie for us to watch. I told him I wouldn't say no to a beer. When he came in the house he had brought a movie, a 6-pack, and a case of bottled water because he'd noticed earlier in the week that I was getting low. Better than a bouquet of flowers.
- He thinks I'm beautiful. Even when I'm in pajamas with my hair messed up and no make-up. It's vain, but it's important. The other night he texted unexpectedly that he was going to swing by to see me for a few minutes. I warned him that I was already wound down for the evening, and I looked pretty rough. His response, "not possible."
- He's pretty cute too, especially when he's excited about something.
- He cracks himself up sometimes, which cracks me up too. He has this great, full-body laugh that just makes you want to laugh with him.
- He listens to everything I say. I'm ashamed to say he listens way better than I do. And, more importantly, he tries to understand when I explain a weird facet of my personality that makes me hard to date. For example, the other night, I explained a little more about my extreme introverted personality and how I need days off after being around people for too long. So today, without making me ask, he gave me a day off to lounge in my pajamas and binge watch Downton Abbey while knitting in front of the fire. It was great! And exactly what I needed to gear up for another week.
As I said, this list is in no way complete - it's really just a compilation of the things that I'm thinking about tonight. I can't imagine what Milton's list would have to say about me. It's times like this I'm really glad I'm not dating a guy who writes a public blog.
