I would want a partner to skate at about the same level as I do. If the partners are too mismatched in ability, it's not going to be much fun skating together. I also want a partner to have similar goals, as far as wanting to test or compete or whatever. There are likely to be problems if the partners don't have similar ideas about how often or how hard they want to practice. It's not important that I be in a romantic relationship with my partner, mostly because I'm already married. It's nice to be friends with your partner because you spend a lot of time together, but even that isn't necessary as long as you can work effectively together. I think it's dangerous to confuse a working relationship with a romantic one. The romantic relationship can enhance a partnership if the relationship is going well, but if it ends, the skating partnership often ends as well. That can really be a shame, since good skating partners are hard to find. I think it would be easier to find a new girlfriend or boyfriend! I think you dream of having a skating partner who would also be your girlfriend, FSWer, and often it doesn't work out that way.