Ricky Martin believes in 'connect? before marriage

Singer Ricky Martin believes in the institution of marriage, but says feels it is first important to share a deeper connect with the person one decides to settle down with.

"For me that paper is important. I also love the romanticism behind it. I am single now after seven years. I meet people. I'm fine. I meet very handsome men. I like to have a conversation, looking into someone's eyes and finding out their sense of humour.

"I'm not saying you have to be an Adonis, but you have to connect," the 43-year-old crooner, who split from businessman boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez Abella in January 2014, told The Sun newspaper, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The "Livin' la vida loca" hitmaker, whose six-year-old twins Matteo and Valentino were born via surrogate in 2008, is very careful about who he introduces to his children.

He said: "We're all men. It's in our DNA to go for it. But I have two boys and I cannot bring different men every day into my house."

Martin struggled to adjust to being a single father when he and Abella split, but they are now on good terms.

"He comes to see the kids. There was a year of silence but now we're buddies. I try to keep my life very civilised, that's what I need for the well-being of my children. The first year as a single father with twins was insanity. I had eye bags down to my knees but it was the most beautiful year of my life," he said.