I started praying for a life partner at the age of 14, my list of criteria has evolved over the years. As the years added, so did the number on my list! And what an amazing testimony that Terence matched it ALL perfectly, it has to be the Lord!

1. Someone who is willing to see the relationship until the finish line – till we see God face to face
   
   
2. Someone who loves God more than he loves me. Ultimately when priorities and focus are set right, everything else falls into place.
   
   
3. Someone who is compatible to me. Spiritually, socially, physical (although it may seem trivial, but it’s important), interests, conversations, language, standards, lifestyle, views, passions. The list goes on and on… this is a hard one to match, but Terence matched it!
   
   
4. Someone who seeks after God’s will for his life, who is certain of where he is heading and knows what he wants in life.
   
   
5. Someone who does NOT COMPROMISE in Godly standards, even in trials and storms.
   
   
6. Someone who is funny! He never fails to make me laugh, I wonder if it’s his expressions, his lame jokes or is it just the innate nature of his?!
   
   
7. Someone who is charming and romantic. Yes! This was part of my list.
   
   
8. Someone who will allow me space to do my own things. The last thing I want was to end up in a relationship that is overprotective and suffocating.
   
   
9. Someone who will give me full support and love to complete and achieve my goals in my life. I wasn’t going to abandon my passions because of a relationship; instead I desire to be even more fueled when in a relationship.
   
   
10. Someone who is loyal, trustworthy, open, faithful, caring, loving and not egoistical.
    
    
11. Someone who will challenge me spiritually above all things.
    
    
12. Someone who will love my family just as I love them.
    
    
13. Someone who loves children. This is a MUST MUST MUST!
    
    
14. Someone who has fatherly traits. Because I was looking at a relationship that will lead to marriage and eventually a family, this criteria was very important.
    
    
15. Someone who loves the outdoors and exploring the places. I don’t want to grow old without seeing the world!
    
    
16. Someone who loves people. Can’t have a grinch as a partner can I?
    
    
17. Someone who is spontaneous. Terence tops this part of it!
    
    
18. Someone who can give me a sense surety and steadfastness.
    
    
19. Someone who can bring out the best in me, at the same time not disregard or just accept my weaknesses but challenges me to better myself
    
    
20. Someone who will walk and run alongside me till the very end.
    
    

Phew! Finally the end of the list… No wonder I had people asking me, “Are your standards too high?” I can safely say now that it’s not. Unknowingly on both ends, we were progressing to match the list. It must have taken Terence longer to match my list, but the timing was perfect, since I needed the extra time to perfect criteria No.8 of his! (urgh!)