I have an idea.

It all started with a close friend. It seems as though she can never like a guy worth liking, and after a bit of thought, it occurred to me that she wasn't using any judge of character at all; She wasn't going for guys that met her list of requirements because she didn't have one.

I know I've posted something like this before, but it's so true. It really is nice to make yourself a list of what you want in a significant other, simply because sometimes when you're in major like, you tend to ditch all of your previous virtues and standards. Sad, but true.

I decided it was time to set the girl right. I purchased us each a notebook, and laid out some rules. Here's how I thought this could down:

On a piece of paper, write down all of the really important qualities that you think are a must in a future interest. Write down anything that comes to mind; Good with kids, sense of humor, Christian, mild tempered, outgoing, sensitive, etc.

After you write down all of the qualities you've ever loved, write down more. Name a few things you think would be a plus, instead of a must. Things that would be nice to have in someone, but not an absolute must. Maybe you think it would be nice if they knew how to cook, but it wouldn't be a necessity. Just write down things that you've always dreamed of your "perfect" spouse having.

Now, once you've got all that done, re-read what you wrote. If it looks like you're being too picky, then you've done a topnotch job! Really girls, it's all about being picky! Be picky when it comes to having a relationship with someone! If you've got morals and standards, then you have every right to be picky. That's not to say you should pass up an entirely marvelous man simply because he doesn't meet every single one of your Plus List qualities, but you SHOULD make your list of requirements actually mean something. In other words, make the requirements REQUIREMENTS.

If you're a sensible person, you'll have a reasonable list put together and only the right guy will read that list and not think you're asking too much of anyone.

I'm Old.

Growing up. Easily one of the hardest things there is to do in life.

Though only 18, I've already reached that point in life where I can tell I'm more adult than I am teenager. More matters; Relationships, careers, money, school, religion, people...all my views on things have changed.

Take people for example. My feelings and opinions of people have changed so much from just last year. It's when I'm around a group of preteen girls, who giggle nonstop and are obnoxiously stupid, that I realize how old I truly feel. I wonder, "Did I act like that? Did other people find me as annoying as I find these girls?" It makes me feel like such an old coot, but I can't stop it.

Then there's relationships. Not just romantically, but friendly as well. I'm less worried about keeping my friends as I was awhile back. Not because I don't want them around, but because I've come to know how much people can change in a short period of time, and I know that things can't stay the same. I'm learning more about who my real friends are and who are simply just there.

As for romantically, I'm more into taking relationships seriously than I was before. I want to get married, have kids, have a house. I want to find someone who will provide for me and my family, who will be a true man and be responsible. I want to take that next step into adulthood. That part of life doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon, though, so I'll continue to wait.

I've started developing my own opinions on all sorts of topics, religion especially. I'm more interested than ever in what God has in store for me and how He plans for me to get there. I'm more serious about further growing my relationship with Him. It's at this point in my life that I need to trust Him the most, though sometimes it's hard.

Before I would take free time for granted, but with work and school going on, I really appreciate my days off. I'm working towards a better future for myself, but it's so nice to have a breather every once in awhile to keep from going insane.

During work and school days, I'm the more serious side of myself, making sure I get my work done and do well in my classes. On my days off, I feel more like my old self, taking pictures and hanging with friends. It's sort of like living a double life in a sense.

This isn't a post of complaint. Simply a post of realization and acceptance.

I am old and that's ok.