I like a man who has a great curiosity and sense of adventure

In the heartfelt words of Mary Frann, "I like a man who has a great curiosity and sense of adventure because that's the way I am. He has to have a willingness to be vulnerable and a willingness to see where the road takes us. And I want a man who is romantic," we hear the call for a partnership that transcends the superficial and seeks something deeper—something authentic, exciting, and filled with the potential for growth. In this declaration, Frann captures the essence of what many seek in love: a person who is not only intellectually engaged with life, but emotionally open, ready to journey into the unknown, and capable of embracing the mystery and magic that love can bring.

The ancients too understood the value of such adventure and curiosity. The Greeks, in their myths, celebrated the journeys of heroes who ventured into unknown lands, faced perilous trials, and sought wisdom, not for personal gain, but for the enrichment of the soul. Take, for example, Odysseus, the great Greek hero whose journey home from the Trojan War was marked by incredible feats of courage, intellect, and emotional vulnerability. He encountered gods, monsters, and countless obstacles, but it was his willingness to face the unknown and learn from his experiences that made him a figure of enduring legend. Just as Odysseus needed both strength and vulnerability, so too does Frann seek a partner who is not only adventurous but also open to the emotional depth that love requires.

Curiosity, as Frann describes, is not merely an intellectual pursuit, but a way of being—a quality that reflects an openness to the world and a willingness to explore the unknown. In the world of the ancients, Alexander the Great was not only a conqueror but a man driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand the world. His conquests took him from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and India, and in each new land, he sought not only to conquer but to understand, to engage with different cultures, and to expand his own worldview. Curiosity, in this sense, was a force of growth and expansion, much like the curiosity Frann admires in a partner—someone who is not content to stay in the familiar but desires to journey toward new horizons.

Frann’s call for vulnerability and the willingness to see where the road takes them speaks to the essence of love as it has been portrayed through history and legend. True intimacy is born not from perfection, but from the courage to reveal oneself completely to another, to expose one’s fears, insecurities, and hopes without fear of judgment. The romantic ideals of the medieval knights, such as Lancelot, who was willing to risk everything for love, speak to this profound vulnerability. Lancelot’s love for Guinevere, despite its tragic outcome, was rooted in his willingness to follow his heart into the unknown, regardless of the consequences. In this, we see that love’s true power lies in its capacity to challenge us, to make us vulnerable, and to shape our lives in ways we could never anticipate.

The romantic element in Frann’s words is not simply about grand gestures or idealized affection, but about the depth of connection that emerges when two people are fully engaged with each other, both emotionally and intellectually. Romance, in this sense, is not just about passion, but about a shared journey toward understanding and growth. The ancients knew this well—consider Romeo and Juliet, whose romantic love defied the boundaries of family, fate, and society. Their story, while tragic, speaks to the power of love to transcend obstacles and to unite two souls in a way that nothing else can. Romantic love, as Frann suggests, is about connection—a connection that is both adventurous and deeply vulnerable, capable of facing the challenges that life throws at us.

The lesson that Frann’s words offer is one of openness—an openness to the world, to love, and to the unpredictable journey that life brings. To be curious and adventurous is to embrace life with all its mysteries and challenges. To be vulnerable is to trust deeply, to expose the truths of our hearts, and to face the uncertainties of love without fear. And, perhaps most importantly, to be romantic is to recognize that love is not just an emotion, but a force of growth, change, and transformation. Romance, in its truest sense, does not merely fulfill our desires—it challenges us to become better, to face our deepest fears, and to grow into the best versions of ourselves.

In your own life, let Frann’s vision of a romantic relationship guide you. Seek out a partner who shares your curiosity for the world, your willingness to take risks, and your openness to vulnerability. Understand that true love is not without challenges, but that it is in those challenges that the greatest growth occurs. Embrace the journey, knowing that the road may not always be smooth, but that it will lead to a deeper connection, a fuller understanding of yourself and your partner, and a love that transcends the ordinary. Just as the ancients knew, so too must we learn that love is not just about a momentary connection, but about an adventure of the soul—one that requires courage, trust, and above all, a willingness to grow together.