So I am going to do something so cliche, it kinda makes me cringe. I am going to write down the qualities that I pray for my future husband to have. Now I have done this once before, but it was a joke to me then. I have never seriously thought about the man I see myself marrying. I have always seen marriage as such a far away thing, but for some reason I don't see it like that anymore. Now I'm not saying I want to get married tomorrow. Truth is, I don't know when I will "settle down", but I'm not afraid of it anymore and that in itself terrifies me.

So without further delay here are the things I have been praying for in my future husband:

1. Someone who loves Jesus with all his heart

2. Someone who is kind and generous

3. Someone who puts his best effort into everything he does.

4. Someone who is strong, not necessarily physical strength (but that's not a quality I'd turn down), but strong.

5. Someone who wants to take care of me.

I have been fairly independent my whole life and I normally have an "I don't need anyone" mentality, but I pray that my future husband wants to take care of me, not out of obligation, but just out of love.

6. Someone who likes and gets along with my family

7. Someone who will support me, even if that means disagreeing with me.

8. Someone who will fight to break down my barriers.

I have a lot of walls and ones that I don't easily let down. I always pray that God will provide me with a man who will see past that and won't let me push him away.

9. Someone who can make me laugh

I cannot be with a serious guy, I just can't.

10. Someone who has authentic conversations.

I don't do small talk.

11. Someone who hears me.

I don't mean listens because listen sounds like a choir. I pray that my husband hears what I am saying when I'm hurting or struggling or just had a great day and wanting to talk about it. I want to feel heard.

12. Someone who is not afraid to talk about their day.

I want to know it all, the good and the bad.

13. Someone who will love me in my brokenness.

We all have baggage and just as I plan to love my husband with all his quirks and shortcomings, I want a husband who does the same for me.

14. Someone who pursues me.

I pray that my husband continues to pursue me after we are married. What I mean is this, someone who still wants to know the little things, or even if he thinks he knows everything about me, he still wants to know more.

15. Someone who enjoys the outdoors.

This one is a little more shallow, but I love nature and I love hiking and exploring. I want someone to adventure with.

16. Someone who is personable.

17. Someone who sees me.

I pray for someone who validates my feelings even when they seem ridiculous or stupid. I pray for someone who values my opinion and asks what I think. I pray for someone who compliments me when he knows I need it. I pray for someone who sees me.

18. Someone who challenges me.

I pray for someone who pushes me in my faith and encourages growth. I pray for someone who makes me want to be a better person.

19. Someone who encourages me.

20. Someone who loves me the best that they can.

I don't ask for all of their heart because all of their heart should be for Jesus. All I pray is that my future husband loves me to the best of his abilities and that he will give me the same grace and kindness that I hope to give him as well.

I know this seems like a large and fairly impossible list, but these are the things that I have been praying for. I encourage you, if you are not married yet, make a list of qualities you want in your husband and pray about it. Pray for God to bring along the right person, who meets your qualities. Your standards are not too high; they are how you protect your heart and how you find the right man.