If people could describe me with one word, it would be probably be ENERGETIC: a sunny, fun-loving, confident disposition full of life, passion, and intensity, balanced by introspection, contradiction, compassion and depth. I love football (go Titans!), friends, road trips, the outdoors, history and culture, traveling and laughing!

I am independent, intelligent and strong, comfortable in my skin. It's important that a man appreciate and respect my strength (please don't be intimidated by it), while having strength and confidence of his own (a MUST!). A good partnership is not a competition and we can both win! Please don't be a pushover or a bulldozer.

I have fabulous friends who have taught me so much ... I have so many great experiences because of their creative influence. They're fascinating, fun-loving, down-to-earth, brilliant souls, and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. They help this career-oriented girl to enjoy the present, to savor each moment ... they bring balance to my life and I'm lucky to feel that in the midst of my striving, right now is just perfect.

About my match: I'm looking for a partner to share the journey--alignment is key. He has courage and confidence in his ability to handle whatever life brings.

He knows how to support a strong woman ... and realizes how much she needs someone in her life to be her distraction from "achieving," her safe place to fall and "just be." He gives her space, believes in her and supports her, and understands that to be her hero, he must give her what she needs most: a safe place to hang up her cape, be taken care of for once (something she really wants and might need a little help with!), to be loved "just because."

He is committed to harmony in his life, realizing that the path to peace is sometimes paved with obstacles, and he has courage to deal with them. No one is perfect, but the guy I'm looking for knows how to handle himself, and how to make things right. He is not overly-simple ... a little complexity and depth is a turn-on for me. Too much contradiction and resistance is a turn-off. I know. Go figure.

He is active and healthy (valuing both), he knows how to "share," he is warm and affectionate, balances a healthy give-and-take, and he is just right for me. :)

For those who know / care: ENTJ

At the risk of sounding high-maintenance, a few things that I've learned:

- If you don't like your job or aren't happy about something in your life, it's probably not a good idea to complain about it on the first date. Or even the second or third. Complaining is unattractive, even if you are "well within your rights."

- The less pressure for the relationship to "be something" in the beginning, the better. Let's get to know each other and have fun! If it's right, the rest will come. I am in no rush and while I enjoy talking about the future, I like to let things unfold rather than force them to manifest RIGHT NOW. As unromantic as it is, "falling in love" in a month or two defies my sensibilities ... I'm looking for something to prove itself over time.

Well, meeting "this way," I prefer a friendly, casual first date. Meeting for lunch or coffee, talk, see if something is there.

If, after that date, there is a second one (am I cheating?), the "setting" of the date isn't as important as the content. The date should include opportunities to talk, laugh, enjoy each others' company, and see if there's chemistry.