Growing up, every teen has their “ideal date.” Where they want their date to take place, what happens on the date, and most importantly who they are with. The name is Devin and of course I have an ideal date, but I also have some things that I just won’t tolerate.

First of all, I would like to say that I am and open person when it comes to dating. Being the mature person that I am, I know that it is less likely at the age I am now to find “the one,” but I know that I shouldn’t just settle for anything. My first thing is that person has to look nice and keep themselves up. Being messed up and not caring about your appearance is definitely a deal breaker. Yes, you shouldn’t care what others think about you, but you still need to look nice for yourself and for you reputation. That brings me to deal breaker number two, reputation. The person I date has to have a good reputation because if they don’t, my reputation is also in jeopardy.

Deal breaker number three would of course be personality. They have to have a good personality. If someone is pessimistic that is a totally deal breaker. I am a very positive person and I feel the negative is obvious. If all you are going to do is look at the bad, then you DON’T need to be with me. Someone who is very emotionally is a major deal breaker. I understand every person has their day, but when your day is everyday…you got to GO!

Next deal breaker is jealousy or being over protective. I hate and I repeat HATE when a person is very jealous. When they can’t trust you and they are always making sure you are doing what you say you are doing. The people that won’t let you have a friend because they think that you and that friend might be doing something behind they back. Well that person might as well not even walk my way because not only will you get the boot but, you will also get some “not-so-nice” words thrown in your face, not being mean, just being real. No one should be that protective especially in high school. Even if there is something going on behind your back, just drop them and move on, your world doesn’t revolve around that person.

And last of all, my final deal breaker is habits. The person I am dating has to have good habits. Any bad habit has to be something that they are working on. And of course I know we are not perfect but, I strive to for perfection in everything I do and I expect my partner to be the same. I hate to see them wallow in their mistakes and just let the bad habits take a toll on their life. Everyone has made bad decisions and has some bad habits but, if we are sitting around doing nothing to change it then we shouldn’t be trying to make someone a part of our filthy lives. We should better ourselves and the people around us, especially the ones that we date. Each person we date should make us better so that when we finally find that one person to settle down with….it will be PERFECT!

What are your dating deal breakers? 

Devin is 17 and from Albany, Georgia. He is a member of The National Campaign’s Youth Leadership Team. This one time, he did a toe-touch, in front of the White House, while wearing a bow-tie. It was pretty awesome. Have a question for Devin? Email us!