Date women from United States / California / Menlo Park, 34 year old

Date someone special from Menlo Park, United States. About me:
Liberal, talkative, and perceptive. I love learning more about new ideas, systems, and strategies -- in fact, probably the only thing I enjoy more is getting to turn around and explain them to someone else. I am completely smitten by my beautiful brand-new niece. When I find something I like -- like a favorite restaurant -- I tend to stick with it, but can usually be persuaded to try something new as well.
About you:
Stephen Colbert makes you laugh out loud, too. You're kind and funny and enjoying life. You support gay marriage and separation of church and state. You like children and dogs. When you look at a glass, not only is it half full, but you can come up with an excellent reason to raise it and make a toast: *clink*

Meet a soulmate from Menlo Park, United States. Take me off this website for good!! =)
My non-narcissistic side prevents me from writing a grand story of how wonderful I am and how out-of-this world my mate needs to be...so I'll just state some facts instead:
What I'm looking for and hope to provide (in no particular order):
--Someone who elevates me and inspires me to be the best me I can be, and who I can do the same for.
--Someone who truly appreciates me, and is forgiving when I make mistakes (which I do plenty of!)
--A positive and honest guy's guy, who doesn't mind wearing pink or holding my purse. :)
--Simplicity.
--Laughter.
--Comfort.
--Hugs.
--Warmth.
--Respect.
--Honesty.
--Someone who I can come home with, cook dinner for/ with, and feel comfortable sharing my secrets with.
--Someone who is my best friend, favorite companion, stellar teammate, and the one I am proud to call family.
--Someone to laugh, giggle, play, and prance around like a fool with on most days...and when the going gets tough, to reason difficulties out in a civil and supportive manner.
About me:
--A piece of art in my bedroom says "If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart"- Buddha...a philosophy I live by.
--I love walking barefoot in grass, and have a favorite local spot I frequent.
--My last 6 vacations have all been beach-related trips.
--My intuition and gut feelings are usually close to the truth.
--I am a sucker for love but refuse to settle for anything other than the real deal. The type of love I am looking for develops over time, not necessarily overnight. I have gathered enough life experience to know without the shadow of a doubt that the long-lasting, forever type of connection I crave, happens when both of us would open our hearts to giving and receiving; sharing the happy thoughts, worries, sorrows, fears, and struggles of our lifetimes and daily life; by going through arguments and difficult situations together that would result in building a stronger relationship foundation; and most of all, agreeing to have a strong sense of respect and admiration for each other...the hope is, this would grow into a long-term, sustainable, "you are and always will be my favorite person forever" kind of companionship, and an "in love" feeling.
I get asked this question a lot so I'm just going to answer it here and feel free to ask clarification...Q: So why are you on match.com? A: I have mostly been in long term relationships that didn't work out. Through my immediate network, I haven't found the right person, and I am at a point where I am truly looking to settle down...not dating to figure out what I want out of life, but dating to figure out if we are compatible enough to trust each other and enjoy each others company for life, take the difficult times in stride with a positive attitude, support each other through good and bad, and start a family together, which I would love to do in the next few years....so if you're looking to date casually and aren't done dwelling in your past or playing the field, then I am definitely not the right person for you...but if you are into exploring friendships to see if that could go long-term, hit me up! ...Either way, good luck with the search- it's obviously not easy and that's why we are all here! =)