I just slept with the most amazing person ever. Okay, well, when I say slept with I mean that I shared a bed with her in a very platonic way. But nonetheless, she did give me butterflies in the sense that she was just so incredibly talented that it made me nervous to be around her.
I spent this past weekend at a friend’s house for a Girlz Weekend (yes, the “z” is intentional). What was interesting about this gathering was that the women there were all really talented, successful, power-women who were at the same time so fun, funny, charming and warm. This is not something one finds often, but this weekend I met not just one but twelve such women.
So back to my bed-mate. D is a tall, gorgeous red-head with an intellect to match her beauty. By the time she was 23 she had started her own international business, which she only left to conquer the world of finance. Along the way, she stopped for her MBA and in the meantime founded a zoo. She lived in the far east for a number of years and had much success in her career. Now, she is a wife and mother and has seemingly achieved a great work-life balance. Talking to her, it all sounded so easy-breezy. I left the weekend in absolute awe of her.
This got me to thinking (in an odd way, I know) about all the people I have shared a bed with in my adult life, platonic or otherwise. Of all the men I have dated, and women friends I have been close enough to feel comfortable with sharing a bed, how often did I feel in so inspired by the person next to me as to cause that same feeling of nervousness+admiration I had this weekend?
Truth is, a few times. But in all but one case, it was a woman, a female friend. And in the one case it was a man, even that relationship was strictly platonic.
What does this say about the men I meet? Or, even more importantly, who I have brought home with me? What does this say about me? My female friends are all incredibly talented and inspiring women, but my romantic relationships have been with men have been…well, just eh. Some very successful, most very kind and sweet, but really none who live up to the combination of talent, ambition and warmth of the women in my life.
Anyway, I was just struck by this thought today. People often ask me what I am looking for in a guy. Lately, I have been saying Indiana Jones, partly for the comedic effect. After all, there are no specific criteria.
I’d like to believe that when I meet him I’ll know it, because, like the twelve incredible ladies I met this weekend, he will inspire in me a feeling of awe.
Half way...where? 