Dating, and a possible explanation as to the perpetual bachelor thing

So, one thing that has perplexed my friends and family, is the fact that I am a perpetual bachelor. They've just grown to accept that I'm single and that status is in no danger of changing any time in the foreseeable future. Which just so happens to be a fact that I have come to accept, myself.

So, to begin with, let's get a few things out in the open. Yes, I am straight. As the Macklemore lyric goes, I've loved girls since before Pre-K. I'm not anti-relationship by any means, nor do I think that I will be single forever. I've had some...hiccups in the dating arena in the past, which has led to some trust issues that I'm still working to resolve. That actually is the first reason why I'm single.

The second, and this is the one that confuses people, is that I genuinely enjoy being single. I'm a very independent person with a very active schedule (both work and otherwise), so the last thing I would want a girlfriend to feel is squeezed into my life. If I'm going to be with someone, she would need to be a significant part of my life and I honestly do not have the ways or means to make that happen. Plus, as I've said before, I'm a very independent person and I love doing my own thing; many times just by myself. It's pretty awesome, actually. I don't get lonely that often, and if I do, I have friends and family I can spend time with.

The third is that I honestly do not have a solid clue as to what (or really who) I am looking for in a potential mate. Sure, I have some ideas, but nothing really concrete. That alone has caused issues in the past. Someone who can communicate effectively is obviously in the running, of course. I have a very low tolerance for drama and high maintenance people. I need someone who, not only has a solid idea of what she wants out of life, but is pursuing it, or is at least in the process of pursuing it. I need someone who is very physically active and loves being in the outdoors. I need someone who will see the worst of me and know (and support me during these times) that it's only something that is occurring in my life and not a permanent situation. Someone who actually wants to spend their life with me and help me share my life with them. Someone who will make me laugh and make me think. A creative spirit and a voracious reader would be most excellent. These are just some of the things that I am looking for in a mate. 

Thankfully, no one has really questioned why I am still single. It's pretty obvious that, for the most part, I've got this nailed down (and I am trying to improve where I can, when I can). I suspect that many of them are holding out hope that I will re-enter the dating scene soon. To be honest, I'm hoping for the same thing. 

So, there it is for you. Hopefully it makes some semblance of sense. I will make one point in closing: I do need to begin a family sometime soon. As far as I'm aware, I'm the last male with my last name. Which means that there is the possibility of the name dying with me. Which would sadden me to a great degree.