The "LIST"...

of past boyfriends...
This is sort of unpleasant to look back and reflect on past relationships BUT if Patti tells me to do it, I'm doing it. Basically what I have created is a pro-con list of my past 3 serious boyfriends, she says 5, but my dating life has been very limited...But anyway...
here we go. ...

Boyfriend #1-Dated Junior year in high school- dated 8 months

Good Qualities:

1. Made me laugh
2. Listened/ Friend
3. Was sensitive
4. Accepted me for me
5. Wrote me sweet Love notes

Not so Good Qualities:

1. Lifestyle choices were not similar to mine
2. Immature
3. Trust issues
4. Did not particularly like my mom
5. Was not interested in his family
   

Boyfriend #2- Dated Senior Year in high school into freshmen year in college- dated ~9 months

Good Qualities:

1. Laid Back
2. Genuine
3. Sincere
4. Secure
5. Dependable

Not so Good Qualities:

1. Too serious/Boring really...
2. Relied on daddy's pocketbook too much
3. Not emotional
4. Trust issues
5. Did not reach out to my family
   

Edmund- Dated Sophomore year in College for 2 years solid- 1 year of fuckin around.

Good Qualities:

1. Listened to me/ Patient
2. Laid back
3. Accepted me for me
4. Challenged and encouraged me to succeed at whatever I wanted
5. Trusted me

Not so Good Qualities:

1. Lifestyle choices were not similar to mine
2. "Peter Pan" - Did not want to grow up
3. Did not reach out to my family
4. Was not a family guy
5. Unhappy with himself

Yeah, this list revealed a lot to me after writing it too. I am a family girl and have not ever dated a family guy... and that bothers me. Also, I am a very motivated person but for some reason pessimism attracts me? That's sad. I mean, I can remember when Edmund and I first started dating we based everything off cynicism and pessimism...I guess there's no where to go but forward, but wow, it did not make for a healthy start. Also, I will say that boys I have dated have tended to be or become my "Best Friends"... which is an understatement since I do not speak to any of these gentlemen currently. That's why they tend to listen and be patient because I've lost friends in the past due to some relationships BUT my dearest friends have stuck by my side and for that I am appreciate. I do think your mate should be your best friend, but not your only friend. It's kind of hard to look at the mistakes I've made in my choices of fellows, over and over and over... it's frustrating that I have done this. Patti does offer some kind advice to prevent this from happening later on, so I will keep you posted....

Maybe you should try making a list of your past 3-5 boyfriends, kind of measuring them with what Patti likes to call "BEST" traits and "WORST" traits and see what you see... you may surprise yourself....