The Charlie List

Maybe a year ago, I had a dream about, literally, my dream-guy. His name was Charlie. Since then, the detail about the dream have become fuzzy, but the name Charlie has become my shorthand for my ideal guy. Now, as I am a big believer that people tend to find what they're looking for, today seems like a good day for a list of the traits my perfect guy has.

Charlie:

• Thinks meeting me was like winning the lotto
  
• Has the kind of smile that makes me smile when I see it
• Has a creative passion/passion for creating something
• Is confident
  
• Loves exploration
• Thinks I'm gorgeous
  
• Has a good relationship with his family
• Takes care of himself - I'm not talking gym fanatic, but someone who puts some effort into being healthy
• Likes my dog
• Knows himself & knows what he wants
  
• Enjoys the beauty of the world
• Would rather focus on solutions than problems
• Puts a premium on loyalty
  
• Is flexible and willing to compromise
• Has at least a bachelor's degree
• Enjoys traveling to new places
• Is physically affectionate
• Makes a phone call instead of sending a text
  
• No drugs or cigarettes/cigars
• Likes to have a couple beers sometimes, but isn't a big drinker
• Supportive of me, even if he doesn't get why I want something
• Is more outgoing than me
• Will try just about anything at least once
• Is probably not Christian, or at least isn't hard-core
• Respects my differences - i.e. it's okay if we like different music
• Cooks
• Does the dishes
• Makes romantic gestures - not necessarily a dozen roses, but leaves me a nice note, surprises me with a picnic, type of thing
• Likes his job
  
• Will take risks - thinks having a thing turn out badly is still better than being too afraid to attempt it
• Laughs easily
• Enjoys the odd corny joke/pun
• Gets along with my family
• Is good at managing his money. Even if he's not exactly raking it in, he's not in debt/buying things he can't afford
• Would rather buy something because it's interesting/has character than simply because it's a status symbol
  
• Gets excited about things like waking up at 3 a.m. to go watch a meteor shower
• Does what he says he's going to do
  

I could make the list longer and more specific, but I think these are the most important things. Other stuff, like what kind of job he has or what he looks like, aren't especially important to me. I mean, yeah, he's got to look good to me, but I don't have a specific criteria for that. (A single friend of mine has a long list of the arbitrary shit - must be at least 6" tall with athletic build and blond hair, etc. It's stupid.)

Anyhow, this is my dream list. If you know of a guy who meets this criteria and is in his late 20s/early 30s, do a girl a favor and send him my way.