This study investigated an expanded theory of mate selection, based upon attachment theory. It is hypothesized that when people are experiencing their first romantic or sexual encounter, the creation of a criterion template may occur. A criterion template in this sense is used as a sort of implicit, personal heuristic; one that facilitates and dictates the patterns a person uses in his/her selection of mates and committed sexual partners. Early psychosexual experiences might create this imprinting template, on which the person would base his/her future sexual experiences and mate. To evaluate the richness and depth of human experience, 12 participants (75% female, 75% married, all in a relationship over six months) were interviewed using narrative inquiry (Creswell, Hanson, Plano Clark, & Morales, 2007). Throughout the interviews, three prominent themes emerged in relation to the notion of psychosexual imprinting and the creation of a criterion template. The first, and arguably most notable, was a theme related to negative psychosexual imprinting, in which participants who experienced a negative first sexual or romantic relationship ultimately chose a mate who was polar opposite of the mate who had hurt them. The second theme was related to a positive psychosexual imprinting, in which participants ultimately chose a mate who was similar to either their first romantic relationship or first romantic memory. Finally, there were many underlying topics under the umbrella theme of family (including family of origin and family value variables). The creation of a criterion template appeared to contain the underlying factors of attachment, memory, and learning, each contributing to the development and maintenance of the psychosexual imprinting template. The need for safety and security, especially within one's relationship, permeated the narratives. Although further research is needed to fully explore the relationship between a person's preference, and the ultimate choice in a mate, an expanded mate selection theory emerged from these results. This was that early romantic and sexual experiences impact the development of a criterion template for mate selection; however, the maintenance of the relationships seems somewhat dependent on the family system and compatibility of family values as a whole.