Shy guy love notes

I am a bumbling fool with people I am attracted to. I stumble around my words like a drunk on an obstacle course and tense up. Hey, I don't mind admitting it: as a highly introspective person, I know my strengths and weaknesses like the back of my hand.

I spent my Valentines Day in Massachusetts where the February air really bites your rear end. Being up there for family business, I had no opportunity to take part in the festivities of the loveliest day of the year. But as I write this in the car on my laptop's battery power, I can't help but be reminded of what it's like to go through Valentine's Day as the "shy guy."

As the walking embodiment in every possible way of the stereotypical romantically timid guy, I nevertheless fill my head with sugar-coated ideals which mostly stem from the style of music I've listened to in the past 5 or 6 years.

Musicians like Angels & Airwaves and Story of the Year gave way to a mindset where I find the following qualities not just suggestions, but requirements for that special someone:

-Flowers. I don't care how cliched they are. The more random the timing, the more surprise and therefore, effect

-Walks. Who needs all of this fancy, new-fangled entertainment? The colder the temperature, the better, because then the two of you are moving closer and closer to share some body heat.

-Throw in a lighthearted bit of cheese once in a while. "Hey, sweetie, I didn't know you owned a taser. Your eyes are stunning."

Well, maybe I'm more flexible with the last one, but the idea is to plant a bunch of small but meaningful trinkets between the two of you which can grow into...who knows what?

Are these ideals naïve, inconceivable, too optimistic? I let you be the judge of my vain freshman attitudes. However, they are just that: ideals. Being a "shy guy," the difficulty has always been transitioning from ideals to reality.

However, it's those same ideals that challenge one to go outside of the comfort zone and with Valentine's Day, going a little out of your comfort zone can bring you a dazzling day. It can also bring you some disappointment but hey, what's a little heartache in life?