Introducing our first guest editorial writers: Melissa Ray. I’ll include a bio of Melissa soon. For now, here’s here first article. Please feel free to comment using the “comment” link above.

Imagine this: I’m out with an incredibly hot, amazingly sweet, and an all around good guy. We went to a movie and afterwards sat on my balcony couch and talked about the movie symbols, themes, over-all tone. This handsome boy had nothing intelligent to contribute! I was frustrated. Or I think back on the time that I dated a boy that was so amazing but simply unattractive.
These experiences, and many other dis-jointed dating efforts, have helped me fine-tune what’s important to find in the guy that I’ll be spending eternity with. It boils down to three simple things–I need someone compatible in mind, body, and spirit.
Mind
Is there anything more frustrating than having a conversation with someone who doesn’t seem to have anything to contribute, or to come home at the end of the day and you both want to talk, but the conversation is stuck on the surface? I’m not going to say that I’m this incredible intellectual, but I’m just not interested in a guy that doesn’t take his education seriously. I love talking to a man that’s driven by ambition and loves learning, reading, and growing intellectually. Let’s take an evening conversation to talk about more than just what we did that day; I want to talk about the war in Iraq, the geology of the earth, the philosophies our parents held when raising us, or the beauty of classical literary and musical works.
Body
I’m talking about old fashioned chemistry, heart fluttering, middle-school “I have a crush on you”, type. Okay, don’t try to tell me that I’m just being shallow about this one! In my experience, if I’m not attracted to the guy I’m trying to date it is simply cruel to both of us! I know that everyone is a beautiful person, because we are all God’s children–I really believe that–but I also know that as such, we each deserve to be with someone that appreciates us. It is necessary to find your spouse attractive! Although attraction is a curious thing that seems to grow as you get to know and care about someone, it needs to reach a point that you both find yourselves paired with another that you think is dang attractive!
Spirit
This is my number one, most sought-after trait. I cannot think of anything more crucial than to be dating and married to a man that loves the gospel and will serve the Lord above all else. I’m talking true integrity, a man that understands his role as a Son of God and appreciates mine as a Daughter of the same. It’s the primary factor because if I’m going to take a boy seriously, it’ll be with long-term in mind. In other words, I want to be with a man that’s going to be a lasting, good influence. To steal the favorite quote of Elder Hale’s wife, “Thee lift me, and I lift thee, and we’ll ascend together.” This is ultimately the type of relationship that I want, and it only comes when both are dedicated to living the gospel. It’s important to be with someone spiritually strong.