I am a woman, and if you are a man, you should know this...

I don't need you to fix me. I don't want you to try, I don't need an answer to every question, sometimes it is good for me to cry. I do need you to hold me, I need to know you care. I need to know that when I turn to you, you will be there. I don't need you to clean up all of my messes, but it would be nice if you noticed when I fall to pieces. There is more to me than weakness, and more to me than strength, I need to know you hear me, I need to know my words make you think. I need you to not fear me, and to tell me what you need. I want you to be near me, and miss me when you're not. I want to know you think I'm beautiful, so it doesn't hurt when you think she's hot. I need you to make me laugh, especially when I'm mad, and it's okay to love me while I'm good, but don't keep me from occasionally being bad. Don't stop me from walking away, and don't try to force me to speak, I don't want to regret my words because I did not have to think. I need you to not yell at me, and not to call me names. I want you not to label me, and for you, I will try to do the same. When you teach me something new and it turns out that I enjoy it, don't take it away from me then, don't make me feel bad for wanting to join in. Don't ask about my past, it is mine to share when I am ready, and if we're being honest, know that I am selfish and petty. I don't care about your old girlfriends unless they are affecting my life, it is imperative you don't lead me on, don't let me think I could be your wife and then change your mind about what you want. Don't not kiss me when your angry, it makes me feel rejected, and realize that when you stop holding my hand, our relationship is affected. It is more important than ever, that you hug me when you don't want too, I need to know that when you don't like me, you can love me too. If you don't like what I'm wearing, and I ask you what you think, tell the truth and then remind me that I'm gorgeous anyway. Remember that I'm fragile, in your hands more than others, and it doesn't matter how long we have been friends or lovers, I am a woman, and you are a man, and it's important that at least some of these things, you try to understand.