I don't need to be taken care of.

I mean that lightly, but my actions will show it heavily. I was raised to be very independent (shout-out to you, Mom and Dad), to go after the things I want in life and get them myself. No shortcuts. No hand-outs. Just hard work and determination, not to mention the satisfaction when I actually get it. I've been just fine doing it all on my own thus far.

So don't be frustrated when I don't reach out to you for help on something. Don't get upset when I don't take you up on your offer of helping me with work I bring home or a simple house chore. Don't try to argue with me when you insist on buying a shirt I fall in love with or when I insist on buying dinner every now and then.

I don't say "no" to be stubborn or to belittle you. I don't try to pay for things every now and then to make you feel like any less of a man. Your offer goes unnoticed and is noted, but you work just as hard as me for your money and deserve to relax on your time off. The fact that you offered to do even the tiniest thing to help or put a smile on my face says numbers. It means more than the world to me, trust me.

I don't want us to grow on who does more for each other. I don't need our relationship to be blasted all over social media because you're spoiling me with gifts. I want to be taken care of in an emotional sense, not the sense that everyone anymore wants financial stability and support from their significant other.

Take care of my heart, not my being.

Make me feel alive with the emotions you make me feel - butterflies in my stomach, premature ventricular contractions (if you can name that movie, we're meant to be.) Make me keel over because my stomach hurts from laughing so much. Spend time me doing nothing, anything, everything.

Pretend to listen to my rants and my rambling stories when I tell you about something that happened during my day. Make me feel appreciated, wanted, and loved. Make me feel like a priority in my life, not just an option.

Mean what you say, and say what you mean. I want to have an open relationship with you - one where we can tell each other anything without judgment or frustration. Talk through problems with me to find a solution, together.

Give my puppy as much love as he gives you when you walk in the door. Take the time to get to know my eyes, my favorite color, about my family. Ask about my family often, actually. They're my everything. I'm an open book. Ask me anything you want to know.

Take the time to break down the wall that I have built up around my heart and my emotions. Understand that I don't mean to push you away when things start to get serious. Let that drive you to stay even more.

I am in no hurry to find you. Like I said, I've been doing this just fine on my own for a while now. When you do come around, take care of me emotionally, and I will always be satisfied. Be interested in me as a person - a friend - not just another girl in your life. I don't need flowers or expensive things; I just need someone to take care of my heart. It's been a long time since it hasn't been let down by actions that don't match words, but I won't settle for any less than I deserve.