Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: 50 Ways to Love a Man (and 5 ways to hate Michigan)

Well, this is an intriguing prompt from Mama Kat.

1.)    The Love List. Write a list of 50 things you look for in a man.

I’m going to start with the basics that I looked for when I was 23 and started dating after being dumped by breaking up with my college boyfriend.

1)      Single

2)      Straight

3)      Old enough to buy beer

4)      Gainfully employed

5)      Does not live with parents

6)      Has own mode of transportation

7)      Taller than me when I’m in heels

I’m not sure if I had low standards back then or if I was just really egalitarian in my tastes.  I suppose it could be argued that I’m a height-ist over number 7 but I created these criteria after dating a guy who was 2 inches shorter than me when I’m barefoot and found it made for awkward cuddling. Anyway, I’ve added to the list since then.  So let’s get down to it. These are in no particular order.  Except that I decided fidelity should really be higher on the list than not liking Michigan.  But hating Michigan is pretty important.

8) Never, ever, ever cheats

9) Not a Michigan football fan

10)  Not my political diametric opposite

11)  Not racist

12)  Not homophobic

13)  Generally not a douche when it comes to judging people on anything other than merit

14)  Enjoys staying in as much as going out

15)  Knows different things than I know

16)  Enjoys travel

17)  Enjoys theatre

18)  Enjoys visiting museums

19)  Makes me laugh

20)  Laughs with me

21)  Doesn’t laugh at me…much

22)  Laughs when Michigan loses to teams like Appalachian State (Yeah, Michigan, we remember that)

23)  Tolerates my loud, opinionated family with good grace and humor

24)  Puts up with my fat, demanding cat

25)  Doesn’t judge me for not wanting anything to do with sushi

26)  Accepts that I sometimes cry over movies.  And tv shows.  And commercials.

27)  Accepts that I have a long-standing crush on Henry Rollins

28)  Takes interest in current events

29)  Knows how to cook, clean and do laundry

30)  Doesn’t expect me to do 100% of cooking cleaning and laundry

31)  Roots for Ohio State over Michigan 100% of the time

32)  Loves my friends or pretends to

33)  Doesn’t mind that I sometimes sing show tunes

34)  Isn’t a chronic complainer

35)  Tolerates sitting in traffic without getting apoplectic

36)  Willing to try new activities

37)  Open to learning new things

38)  Kind

39)  Gentle

40)  Sympathetic

41)  Not sympathetic to Michigan when they lose to Ohio State

42)  Dreams big but realistic

43)  Honest

44)  Doesn’t make me go camping

45)  Is a partner in my life, not an observer of my life

46)  Likes kissing

47)  Holds my hand on airplanes

48)  Holds my hand if the score is close during the Ohio State-Michigan game

49)  Values family

50)  Values me

Note: This list describes my husband, a man who may or may not have married me because I took him to his first game at the ‘Shoe where we watched Ohio State beat Michigan, to a T. I’m a lucky, lucky, Ohio State Fan girl.

Mama's Losin' It

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11 comments for “Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: 50 Ways to Love a Man (and 5 ways to hate Michigan)

  1. KLZ
    June 24, 2010 at 9:23 am

    Well, #35 would knock my husband out of the running if #1 didn’t.

  2. June 24, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Yeah, my husband would fail at #35, too. But this is a great list!

  3. June 24, 2010 at 9:38 am

    I like your list. I’m thinking of doing this one too. I actually had a list in a journal I kept. I meant to dig it out to make this easier…but I forgot.

    Top 7? Definitely critical. I’m not a heightist either, but I am sort of Amazon ish (especially in heels). I don’t want his face in my boobs when I give him a friendly hug. That’s just embarrassing in public.

    My next favorite thing, that you used apoplectic. 🙂

    The list I made? Also describes my husband. Lists rock.

  4. June 24, 2010 at 11:37 am

    I love 15) Knows different things than I know.

    My hubs is a wealth of “useless” knowledge (trivia, pop culture, current events), and I appreciate that about him.

  5. June 24, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    My husband would fail at least half of those things. I suppose I need to make my own modified list. lol with lower standards.

  6. liz
    June 24, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    I love that it’s both sweet and funny! And I agree that #30 is hugely important.

  7. June 24, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    I have sooo much to say about this list, but I’ll try to keep it brief. I’m a 43-year-old recent divorcee who has dated quite a bit since my breakup. Last summer a cute 30-year-old bartender was interested in me and I kept thinking that he was just too young. The deal breaker? He didn’t drive a car. I admired his green intentions but I just couldn’t imagine being picked up for a date on a bicycle.
    Number 34 is also a must for me. I like men who are upbeat!
    And number 45 makes me think. Not only do I like a participatory man, but there is nothing worse than having someone sit back, observe and then judge.

  8. June 24, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    Great list!! My favs are #13, #33 & 45 🙂

    I tell my husband quite frequently that my hours at home go by faster when I pretend I’m in a broadway musical.

    Did I just admit that?

  9. June 26, 2010 at 11:33 am

    I think my husband would fail at some of these things but I think I’ll keep him anyway.

    I am just guessing here but you’re not a Michigan fan are you? 😉

    Very nice list and you’re so lucky to have found the guy that fits YOUR list! 🙂

  10. September 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    Man, you are a good writer. Your article is so interesting. You ought to do it professionaly

  11. May 31, 2014 at 9:45 am

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