The first time stepping foot in a public school, I was in first grade. Even then, having a "boyfriend"/"girlfriend" was a thing. Since then there has always been sort of a pressure that you had to be in a relationship or you weren't cool. Now coming from a private school and being a child, I still believed that boys have cooties (I still believe that sometimes) and that I was too good for any boy (still believe that too). Then I got into high school where everybody is dating or having "flings". I wasn't allowed to date until I turned 15 which, honestly, I didn't have a problem with because if you saw me when I was 15 then you would know that I wasn't about to be getting any guys' number anytime soon. Now as college freshman,I have talked to/dated several guys. But none of them I was ever to actually declare my boyfriend. I recently ended a relationship with a guy that I had been dating for almost four months. We never made it official or "FaceBook official" like my mom wished or like he wished. I am just the kind of person that doesn't need to make a facebook post in order for it to be official and I hate that it is that way. The first guy I ever dated was for 9 months. I don't remember how it happened because it was such a long time ago but I remember the pain and hurt I felt when we broke up.I told myself that I would never feel that way again and I would come up with boundaries. I did and still am adding to the list as I continue to date. Here's what I have so far:

1.) Respect the list.

The first thing I tell a guy when we start talking is that I have this list of rules and if they don't respect the list then they can walk and not get a second chance. You would be amazed at how many guys stopped talking to me because of my boundaries.

2.) Trust my gut.

If I have a bad feeling about us being together, I end it. It's literally not you it's me. The majority of the time I find out later on that the guy was talking to several other girls while with me so, always trust your gut.

3.) Meet my Dad before we go on our first date.

I will not come get in your car if you pull up in my driveway and honk for me to come out. that's not how this works. I prefer you to park, come to my front door, say hi to my dad (guys judge each other based off their handshake so keep that in mind) and then we can go to your car.

4.) Open the car door.

I expect this when you pick me up and when you drop me off. I can do it myself any time in between then but you get bonus points if I don't have to do it at all.

5.) I don't owe you a thing.

Just because you take me out, buy me food or whatever magical night we have, I owe you absolutely nothing in return.

6.) No means no.

I mean, come on.

7.) I may be 5'3 but I will defend myself.

Don't even try to mess with me. I don't get mad, I get even.

8.) I love Ferris wheels.

this is just a date idea that nobody has met yet and its important enough to be apart of this list.

9.) I have an obsession with make up so please don't even try to tell me I don't need it because I probably won't be able to hear you over my highlight and contour.

It also means I will probably run a little late because of doing my make up so that means you get to spend more time with my dad.

10.) I don't like to order for myself so be prepared to talk for me.

This rule applies sometimes but the majority of the time I studder badly when I order food and it sucks because I have no clue why but yeah. Plus, it just makes the guy more attractive.

11.) Know when and when not to be mature.

Some situations require maturity and being able to separate when it is and when it is not okay is very attractive to me.

Now, being picky of who I date definitely gets me judged because I've been told that there is no such thing as the perfect guy or that I have too many rules that no guy would be willing to them in order to be with me. That may be true but I'd rather be single than in a relationship that I have a bad feeling about or that I wasn't respected in. I am happy being single *cough* mom please stop trying to find me a boyfriend *cough*

SO this is for the picky daters like me. May we rule the world someday. Live long and picky.