Hi, just recently out of a long-term relationship and have decided that my next mate's primary traits should be that they are kind and affectionate. One would think this would be an easy task but it's actually more difficult than I thought.
I'm in the military close to leaving the military. I enjoy reading (mainly medieval European history), antiques, old books, and hanging out with friends.
I'm very charismatic, consider myself fairly intelligent, am good at reading people. I'm considered the 'counselor' where I work as I tend to be the person most people go to for advice.
My current philosphy on relationships is that "it is easy to love someone...liking them is what's difficult", and "They say love can conquer all, well I say Like can conquer all".
It's amazing to me how many people out there may love the one they're with but can't stand to be around them for any length of time. So this time, for me anyway, it's about liking the one I'm with...the love part will come naturally but if the "like" isn't there, well, then it's not going to work.

I think the best first date is one in which you get to know the person you're with...that is, after all, the whole point of dating. So what the date is and/or where the date takes place is not nearly as important as whether it encourages two people to get to know each other.