I have always believed that anyone not currently involved in the perfect relationship is, at some level, seeking that enviable and blissful state. The new technology and open attitudes of the 90's allow a much wider base in which to find that particular satisfaction. Here is the story of one woman's search and final resolution to finding:

The Perfect Relationship

He was the hot, new item in town and everyone but me seemed to know him. People were talking about him everywhere I went. I heard all about his incredible intelligence, his impressive good looks and his ability to stay on top of a situation--"the favorite son-of-the-future" they called him. They said he was a real money-maker and had connections all over the world--important, knowledgeable people who could help you get to where you wanted to go.

Although I had never met him, I had seen him at different spots around town, and I have to admit--I found him physically attractive. He had a sharp, clean-cut, up-to-the-minute look--sophisticated and sleek. I couldn't imagine him ever being intimidated or unsure of himself in any situation. Friends told me he was just what I needed in my life right now; that I would be able to appreciate all his unique and admirable qualities.

I did want to meet him, but I was a little leery too. I wasn't certain we had that much to offer each other. He was indeed impressive, but I didn't think he would be able to appreciate what I considered MY admirable qualities. Still, you can always "say no and go" if you don't like the way a situation develops so I prepared myself for our first meeting.

I was definitely less than overwhelmed. What had appeared sophisticated and sleek from a distance, looked cold and hard close-up. I was amazed at his inability to communicate effectively. He was incredibly obstinate. Everything had to be done his way--exactly, his way. He had this habit of sometimes just completely tuning me out. I was beginning to think that maybe he was just too difficult for my taste and there would be a parting of the ways for us.

But sometimes, for just a moment, something would click and this fantastic communication would develop between us where he seemed not only completely absorbed in what I was thinking, but interested in nothing but my next word. Even though he did sometimes do a great impression of a knot on a log, the parting had not yet come and I was not eager to give up those moments of electrifying communication. I decided I would keep seeing him.

Now the relationship had developed to the point where it had become an important part of my life. I decided since females do have more brain space devoted to communication than do males, I would make a concentrated effort to communicate with him in a language I was sure he would understand. The results were more than I had dared dream possible.

As I became more skillful in his preferred language, the frustrating periods of tuning-out became less and less frequent. And talk about response time! I couldn't imagine ever being more satisfied.

He had bacome an important part of my life now and I couldn't imagine abandoning him, ever, having known him as I did. And him--well, without me, I knew that he would simply sit and let the world pass him by--not knowing or caring what went on around him--without even the desire to turn on a light at night to stay the darkness--all his amazing talent wasted.

Still, good as he was, he was not perfect, and I began to feel the loss of that special something that was missing in the relationship. He was a great moneymaker, but I have always preferred the thoughts of scholars to the banker's dollars. I need creativity in my life, and I need to share it. I admire logic; but, I love creativity.

When I shared my thoughts and feelings--shared my words with him--he encased them in beautiful permanence and gave them wings. His creativity was magnificent--doormat, but magnificent--needing only the right touch from me to spring to life. The things he could do were awe-inspiring and left me full of new and exciting ideas.

I think about him and his remarkable talents all the time now; even when he is not around. I can't wait until he and I share the same home and he is available whenever I need him. The possibilities seem endless!

He and I, we are opposites in so many ways. I am a conceptional thinker who deals with twenty thoughts at one time. He is like a bloodhound on the scent of one thought. I am terrible at math--numbers or details of any kind really. Among his many talents is that of a great mathematician.His ability to deal with hard and fast grains of fact is fascinating to me. When something upsets me--I start spewing words and I am out of here. He proceeds to a problem's solution with calm deliberation, seemingly unaware of frustration. Sometimes I can hardly remember my name. He forgets nothing.

So it is as it was meant to be; as it has from the beginning and through the ages been, and as it will, undoubtedly, always be. We reach our fullest potential in pairs. We are at our best joined with another who is alike enough to share some of our interest but different enough to bring to the relationship some of the qualities we lack--one who works with our weaknesses and celebrates our strengths.

It has taken a lot of patience and hard work, as well as, not a little willingness to see the other point of view to bring this satisfying and fulfilling relationship into being. I know that what I know of him now is only the tip of the iceberg. We will face many new challenges as well as fulfillments in the future. Still, I can't imagine a relationship more complete than the one between my computer and me. So, remembering that you get from any relationship only as much as you are willing to put into it-----strike any key when ready.

POST SCRIPT: Since having written this at the request of my "Computer Literacy" class instructor as an introduction to his class, I do have a computer in my own home. I find "him" to be both as satisfying and as frustrating as those I used in the computer lab. This is, however, a relationship at which I am willing to work. :-)

Author: Lady Lou