I spent time with young adults over the weekend so I find my thoughts still swirling around dating. You’re gonna have to bear with me.

Before I married my husband, I always dated the same type of guy: outgoing, with flashy outward talents like singing or acting, and he had to be a great dancer. These were the things I enjoyed, so I figured this was the only type of guy who would make me happy.

Yet the man I married is none of those things. It’s no small miracle that I ever gave him a chance—he wasn’t the type of guy I thought I wanted. Once I did, I discovered his quiet company complimented my talkative personality. He treated everyone, including me, with a kind of respect I’d never seen before. I had to have him.

Over the weekend I watched the young adults, as I always do. One particular boy stood out to me. Quiet and hulking, this boy didn’t have flashy good looks. He did however open doors and stand aside to let every girl in our group go first. The few times I heard him speak, he showed he wasn’t a mindless lump. The young women in our group didn’t give him much attention, but I was impressed.

I hope you will be wise when dating. Don’t start out with such a narrow view, like I did. What does it hurt to give someone who you think isn’t your type a chance? You might just find, like I did, the unexpected perfect match.