I like the way you put that. I am in a relationship where there is equal respect and we both see each other as "equals" in a sense (he's not better than me, I'm not better than him, we both have our strengths and our weaknesses), but I prefer him to be dominant, and he prefers that as well. He sees strength in my submissiveness, and I feel it in return. I've always loved taking care of another person by doing things for them--I'm a natural giver. But I've always wanted a firm hand to guide me (not control me--that's different), I've always wanted someone to make me feel safe and cared after, and I've always wanted to be able to be vulnerable without shame or fear of getting hurt, and the relief that comes with letting yourself go, and giving yourself over to another person--you know, sweet surrender and all that.

So he's dominant, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Some people are judgmental about that, and would think that I should be ashamed to admit such a thing, because I'm a woman and he's a man, but they don't get the dynamic. Submissive doesn't equal weak, and dominant doesn't equal tyrant.