I am a 43 year-old career firefighter and paramedic in a county located near Charlottesville, Virginia. Additionally I continue to work part-time as a paramedic in the city of Richmond. I have been a firefighter for the last 3 years and a paramedic for just over 10 years. After 16 years in a corporate career I decided to find a profession which allows me to interact with people and serve the community. I love my work and can’t envision doing anything else; however, I work to live and not live to work. My career is a part of my life and does not rule my life. I have lived in "The Valley" (Fishersville) for a year and a half and also 11 years in the metro Richmond region. I am a product of the North (New Jersey) but most people would not think that as I have lost most of my accent. Despite where I grew up I consider myself to be as much a Southerner as a Northerner and find I can easily adapt to most people and situations.

After two marriages which ended I find myself back in the dating scene. My first marriage lasted 13 years and my second 3 years. While divorce is difficult I do not consider the marriages to be failures. Rather they are experiences in life which help you become stronger. A relationship never ends just because of the mistakes of one person, however, it is from these mistakes knowledge is learned. They allow you to learn about yourself and provide you with opportunities to make changes so as to avoid travelling the same path in the future. In summary you are never too old to learn and grow and every experience in life provides this opportunity provided you are open to taking it. While divorce is disappointing, I still consider myself a romantic and believe that there is "true love" out there somewhere.

I love children but I am unable to have any of my own due to a long ago medical procedure. This does not preclude me from a medical intervention which has the potential to allow me to become a biological parent and would consider this if my partner wishes to have another child. I am at the point where having children is an important part of my life. This does not mean the children have to be biologically mine. By this I welcome and hope to find a partner that has a child or children. This does not mean I am trying to take over or preclude the biological father from being involved. I encourage the father’s involvement. It does mean I would like to be an important part of the child’s life and be there to love, guide, help provide for and serve as a partner with the child’s mother in the raising of the child or children.

I think of myself as a hard worker, devoted, and honest. Not looking to become rich but I am able to provide for all the necessities in life while still enjoying a few extras. I’ve been through the materialistic phase of life and that is no longer part of who I am. Due to my career I keep physically active and work out at least one hour a day a minimum of four times a week. I enjoy most everything involving the outdoors including hiking and walking in the mountains with my two Scottish Terrier dogs, checking out the local wineries, hunting, camping, dirt track races and pretty much any other outdoor activity. That being said I also enjoy watching movies, cooking meals especially on the grill, sitting on the patio next to the fire pit or snuggling up inside on the couch with the fireplace roaring. I also enjoy music and listen to everything from rock and country to hip hop and rap.

So, what am I looking for in someone. First, a friend and then working towards more if everything clicks. If we can become nothing further than friends this still is a benefit as nobody can have too many friends. I like women who range from thin to average. I find a woman with curves to be as beautiful as someone who is thin. This being said, I am not looking for an extremely overweight woman. I love my partner to feel comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt and enjoy walking downtown or at the mall holding hands and sharing a kiss. My partner needs to be willing to be physically active and be willing to take walks, hike, and canoe as well as other physical activities. Sitting and watching TV can be nice but I do not want to primary make it my primary activity.

My partner is my equal. It is not a negative just because we may not share the same opinions on some issues. It is actually stimulating and inspiring to be able to discuss issues even if we agree to disagree. I am not superior to anyone let alone in a relationship! My partner is someone that can be intellectual at times and just plan silly other times. Someone who understands that getting older does not mean giving up on having fun or enjoying all life has to offer. I consider myself a sensual person and the physical side of a relationship is as important as the emotional side. If you are looking for a sugar daddy pass me by. If you are looking for someone who is committed, caring, loving, and hard-working, I might just be the one.

Lastly, please consider the fact that I am a career firefighter/paramedic. If you can't be with someone in this profession because you view it as too dangerous or if you plan on me changing careers for a relationship, please find someone else. I love what I do and I have no intentions of leaving my field of choice. On the up side since I only have to work 10 days a months I have a good bit of free time!

Thanks for taking the time to read my profile and best wishes in all of your endeavors personally and professionally. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask as I will gladly answer! I hope to hear from you. You can also IM me at Yahoo IM at TheFireMedic2007 or email at albemarle_fire_medic@hotmail.com.

First dates really do not fall into any specific category. Both people must feel comfortable with the setting and location of the first date. It can be as simple as meeting in a local coffee shop, checking out a winery or grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many great eateries in the Valley or Charlottesville. Whatever decision is made as to where to meet I feel it is important for both people to have the opportunity to talk and further the process of getting to know one another and do so in a comfortable and safe atmosphere. While movies can be fun they are not in my opinion optimal since there really is no opportunity to talk while the move is in progress. Now as to dinner and then a movie that is a different story.