rtwarvet77: Hopeful Romantic and Skeptical Optimist

I'm looking for a deep and meaningful relationship built on a solid foundation of trust, honesty, respect, communication, and eventually love. I was raised to be a respectful gentleman, and I am a romantic at heart. However, I find it very difficult to find a woman who appreciates that in a man, and it seems even more difficult to find someone who is mentally and emotionally mature enough and ready to have a relationship. It would be nice to find someone to share my life, my heart, and my soul with. I am looking for a friendship first. I definitely don't want to jump into a physical relationship right away. I don't want just sex. I want to make love, and there's a BIG difference. If you understand and agree with that, then please read on.
Honestly, I think people put way too much emphasis on sex in a relationship. Yes, sex feels good, is fun, healthy, and life-affirming, but making love is a different world when you have a deep emotional and spiritual bond. In my opinion, having a solid foundation from the start of mutual trust, honesty, respect, and clear communication is more important than just sex. Speaking of...I haven't had any sexual relationships in about one and a half years. Not that I didn't have the opportunities; I just don't want to end up with the wrong person out of fear of being alone. Not only am I willing to spend the rest of my life single, I am but a step or two away from a point in my life where I am resigned to that future reality. This is probably my final attempt at finding a truly meaningful relationship online. It's safer than finding someone at a bar, right? Well, I suppose that's debatable. LOL!
Yes, I know it's rare to find mutually respectful and equal love, and maybe it only happens once in a lifetime, if at all...but I am looking to fall in love. I honestly didn't think that true love existed until I fell in love once, and it completely changed my views on dating and relationships. I am seeking that blissful feeling again...despite the odds. That's why I refer to myself as a "hopeful romantic", not hopeless. I also refer to myself as a skeptical optimist.
About me: I am a retired Army infantry officer with a full pension and SSDI compensation, so I am financially secure. I spend my retirement time with activities ranging from arts and crafts, cooking and baking, boating & fishing, camping, traveling, being a vendor at gun shows, going to the range, going to church, helping other veterans through volunteer programs sponsored by The Wounded Warrior Project, etc., etc.
I enjoy outdoor activities, but I am just as comfortable staying at home, cooking a meal, and watching a movie. I love deep and meaningful conversations and trying new things. I am a very open-minded and often spontaneous person. I strive to live by "the golden rule" and spread positivity and acts of random kindness. I choose to be positive, happy, and good to others and myself and live with an attitude of gratitude for all my blessings because I know that's a choice. I am able and willing to prove that I am one of the most sincere, honest, trustworthy, caring, considerate, and capable people you will ever meet. I say that with confidence, not ego because I practice that every day with everyone I talk to...and I know all my friends will attest to that.
There's so much more to say, but enough about me. If you're seeking the same and want to know more, please message me.

From my experience, there are certain things that I must have in a potential relationship:
1) You must be a Christian and have a relationship with God. I don't believe that you have to be at a certain place at a certain time on Sunday. If you know God, he will be in your heart and it will be
evident in how you treat others and yourself. However, I would like to attend church on at least a fairly regular basis.
2) You must be intelligent, not only for compatibility purposes, but it's absolutely essential for clear communication.
3) You must have a great sense of humor about life and yourself and be able to go with the flow.
4) You must be healed enough from the pain of past relationships to be emotionally and spiritually open-hearted and open-minded.
5) You must be a sweet and considerate type of personality who likes to talk about things that matter...not just other people...and not always on their phone when you're together.
6) You must not be using any hard drugs or have a dependency on alcohol or addictive medications. And if you are in recovery, you must have at least a minimum of a year clean and sober. I don't care
about marijuana or occasional alcohol use, as long as it's not in excess...I occasionally partake in both weed and beer, but very responsibly and in moderation.
7) You must be employed, or have plans to go to work soon...unless of course you're retired or living on disability Owning a car is a plus, but not absolutely necessary.
8) You must be OK with the fact that I am a smoker. I don't smoke in my house or my cars, and I plan to quit soon.
9) You must understand the value of teamwork and how much fun you can have, not only working as a team but how much fun a relationship can be
10) You must not be in a current relationship, or living with an ex.
11) You must not have a short attention span. LOL! Thank you sincerely for reading this far!

Lastly, as mentioned previously, I am very honest, and that's why I went straight to the point. I don't want to waste your time or mine if we don't have enough in common. Life is too short, and I'm very lucky to be alive.
"There are two kinds of people in this world. People you spend your time with, and people you waste your time with." Bruce Lee