Hey! I'm probably the youngest forty-year-old you'll ever get to know, in spirit, maturity, and energy. But don't let the incessant dad jokes and puns cast an incorrect, inaccurate picture of me. I'm brimming with compassion, kindness, and poignant, sometimes culpable attention to detail. It's why I'm good at my job but bad at friendships. I crave connection, but, y'know, in that Midwest-humble sort of way that doesn't show up in social media and isn't a conversation starter for me originally.

Yes, I tend to keep many aspects of my personality as sheltered and private as possible. That's not a way to say I'm one-dimensional or dull. I happen to really love the person I've grown up to be, the career I've made for myself, and the current place I find myself in life - successfully single.

And yet...there's always a yet, isn't there...

Wonder always gets the best of me. It's a finicky, problematic emotion for most, where you're left wondering if you're making the most of your time, your relationships. Doubt can pollute wonder so quickly, and threaten to sour even the purest of connections established. I want to live a wonder-filled (and wonderful) life, and I find myself seemingly coming up short. It's as if the effort doesn't always balance out. High aspirations for a connection that is primarily established online, I know.

But, in the age of post-pandemic connection, besides the safety net of GTKY (getting to know you) virtually, we may be pursuing a reversion of sorts. I'm very sensible about my life choices - regularly exercising and avoiding vices while maximizing my time with creative projects and endeavors. Maybe you're one of these "creatives" that the world has talked about, where the art is generated and consumed at a voracious, life-affirming pace. Where you practically will your dreams to life, as minute and inconsequential they might seem to others.

This is the trust that comes with years of holding back - of waiting to find the spark that ignites tinder. Relationships are not made with a single call-and-response from a post on social media. And yet...we are destined to try again, to chase threads and push our spark into the world. Or, maybe I'm the symbolic tinderbox, hoping to find someone who reacts and relates to posts like mine and recognizes the person on the other end is quirky, fun, and passionate about sustainability (in life and in love).

Art, travel, coffee, films, deep conversation, multi-faceted philosophical discussion over nice wine, video games, junk food, books about social sciences, crafts, plants, intermittent fasting, fitness, DIY - these are a primer for deeper discussion.

Some more about me - I am wholesome. I have moderate interests and am not strongly opinionated about anything. I am an open book. I've only been in long-term relationships - never married, no kids or former partners in the picture. I am a caring, compassionate partner and seek balance and fairness in communication. I am honest and real about life's fluidity, and recognize personal and relationship history is unique, and must be accepted and appreciated. It factors into the strength and solidity of any burgeoning connection.

I want to add: you are who you are to your core. You will not be marginalized or reduced in any way for the qualities that make you independently, inherently you. In seeking a deeper connection, there's a desire to find an interdependent bond that strengthens over time. I maintain my desire to build interdependence, while ensuring we are open to supporting each other during difficult times, and finding joy in ourselves and in each other during the good times. And I'd like to think I'm definitely looking for the positive/good in life.

Based on the previous/above - age, looks, and experience are interests of mine, but are not critical factors as connections are formed. I only ask that you please be local if possible, for I'd love an opportunity to make a connection in-person, within our wonderful, amazingly diverse and beautiful city. I also prefer long-form communication, so please send messages instead of chat requests. I can devote time throughout the days and weekends to respond.

Thanks for reading this! I hope to hear from you.