Recently, I was told by a friend that my expectations for a man were too high. I was told that I needed to lower my standards a little bit and "settle."

Well, honey, I've got news for you, I won't settle.

I have high standards and expectations, but they are certainly not unattainable.

I'm an intelligent person. And I like to have intelligent conversations. I like debating. I like connecting on an intellectual level. So, the person I decide to be with must have some sort of intellect behind them. If we can't have a meaningful conversation, you're just not for me. And I won't apologize for that.

I'd like to think that I'm relatively funny. I like to laugh and I enjoy making other people laugh even when I don't try. I'm sarcastic, I'm blunt and I like laughter. Sense of humor is a big deal. If we can't laugh together, you're just not for me. And I won't apologize for that.

Personality is huge. Personally, I'm rather introverted for the most part, but when I go out, I can be the life of the party. Call me an introverted-extrovert if you will. Frankly, I don't really care which one you are, but our personalities can't clash. That'll make for a miserable relationship. And when I say I don't want to go out one night or that I don't want to go to your house, I need whoever I'm with to understand that. If our personalities clash, you're just not for me. And I won't apologize for that.

Afterwards, I was told that I needed to be more feminine. I needed to dress more feminine, act more feminine. I should do my hair and makeup almost every day. Well, I've got news for you again. I won't fix my hair and makeup every day. I won't dress fancy every day. I don't have time for that. I'm busy. I go to school, I go to work, I babysit most of the week after I leave my job, and I have bills to pay. Excuse me for not wanting to wake up an hour and a half early to fix my hair and put on a face that isn't mine. I dress up when I want to, and I look nice when I go out. But most of the time, I'd rather sweatpants and a t-shirt. And I won't apologize for that.

I'm a tomboy. I've always been a tomboy. I go fishing. I swim in rivers, lakes, and ponds. I enjoy a good rope swing from time to time. I like to go camping. I wear Vans more than any other shoe. I prefer being barefoot over shoes any day. I played in mud as a kid. I scraped my knees and tore holes in my pants. That's just who I am, and it's who I've always been. I shouldn't have to change who I am for the benefit of anybody else. And I won't apologize for that.

I won't apologize for being who I am, and I won't apologize for having "high" expectations.