I was never motivated to learn home improvement skills because I figured I’d have a husband to do it for me. I have no problem with traditionalism—I’ll do the laundry and cook, he’ll tackle home repairs. But without a man in my life, I live in a place with a leaky faucet, broken cabinet, and a smoke detector hanging by its wires. But even if I was married, I’m not sure my husband would be a Tim-the-Toolman Taylor.

I’ve discovered that a lot of men in my generation don’t know how to fix things. It’s still a healthy trait for some in the gender, but they aren’t coming out of the womb with tool belt and hammer like they used to. Take my brother Troy for example. He couldn’t saw a piece of wood to save his life! Kids grow up nowadays playing video games and downloading illegal music rather than building tree houses or model airplanes.

One time I asked a guy I was dating if he wouldn’t mind taking a look at a broken cabinet. I couldn’t tell from his quizzical look if he thought I was asking to take some serious step in the relationship or if he had no idea what the difference was between a flathead and a phillips. I wasn’t trying to send a subliminal message that we should act like a married couple and talk about whether we’d get a dog or a cat or what we’d name our kids. I actually wasn’t really feeling butterflies with him at all; I just wanted my cabinet fixed.

He tepidly agreed to take a look. He opened and closed the cabinet trying to look like he was thinking what it needed. I folded my arms, waiting in vain for him to present a solution. He just shrugged his shoulders. I tried not to think less of him, but the awkward tension between us was thick enough to cut with a knife. He left shortly thereafter.

I’ve since stopped asking guys to fix things, even though I’m still tempted whenever one walks through my door if he wouldn’t mind taking a look at a leaky faucet. I know many young handymen do exist, but maybe it’s a superficial trait to desire in a man—like money or looks. So I’ve written it off, regardless how attractive it is. I’m now tackling these “to-dos” myself. Who knows? Maybe I’ll bump into someone cute at Home Depot.

**So if you want to date Jenny, ask her if she needs help fixing her kitchen cabinet. It’s still broken.