Today is the day. I'm taking the plunge and seeing if you'll reach out instead of wading through the posts here myself. Am I looking for you?

I'm a 41-year-old mom in EST looking for connection. Motherhood consumes most of my time and attention these days and I find myself wishing for someone to know me and see me as a person of value. I'm smart, sometimes funny, always kind, and an excellent problem solver. I have dark hair and eyes and a curvy body. I am soft and feminine.

I have love and attention to give and nowhere for it to land. I miss having butterflies. I want to be curious about you and feel like you feel the same. Let's send each other songs to listen to and see who gets a better time on today's NYT mini crossword. Send me photos or memes because you just know I'll laugh and always be spot on. I want to find myself thinking about you and know you're thinking about me.

I am not looking to fulfill a kink or jump into sexting and fantasy. I want to get to know someone. This will be a slow burn. If that won't work for you, you'll find a better match somewhere else. No hard feelings; you'll find her.

You: somewhere around 40-45, respectful, funny, emotionally intelligent, a good conversationalist who likes to ask questions, likes nerdy stuff, in search of a true connection (friends make the best lovers). Ideally a dad because that's a bonding point for me, plus dads being good dads is hot. Ideally in EST (and I'm a early bird) Physically? I'm not ruling anyone out but if you want to know my general type--tall, dark features, and facial hair are all absolute yeses. Every time. But they don't all have to be there.

Must be progressive and in favor of basic human rights for all. This is non-negotiable. Read between the lines here. Save yourself some time and do not message me if you did not vote for me to have a say about my own body or you even believe that illegal people can exist on stolen land.

All that said, if you'd like to reach out, please send me a small introduction about yourself! Age, general area and a sentence or two about why you're reaching out would be appreciated. I hate that I have to basically demand you follow a set of steps but it is BRUTAL in here and I want some kind of sign you're serious and have read this far and truly think you might be a match. I'm not normally this pushy. This place is hard to navigate. Show me you're sincere? I have to believe there's a chance I will find you.