She is also my favourite character in VII (which is also my favourite game lol) I still use here at every chance I get.
I don't like to take her on the date though, I normally go for Tifa due to the extra scene near the end, but in my most recent playthrough I got the Barret date. Anyways I challenge anyone to prove to me that she is weak in battle, I can come up with an answer to all of your battle related statements.