can i just brag about my boyfriend for a minute? all i've done for the last 20 years is whine and complain about the disappointing men in my life. i feel like my friends and family deserve for me to bend their ears with good news for as many years as they had to listen to my sob story.

those poor guys ~ they had so much to live up to. when you have a father like mine, you better get on your knees and pray for a miracle, that some guy can even hold a candle to the example you had growing up.

and did i wait patiently for that man and not settle for less? ha. that's a definite no. how many years did i beg and scream and bargain with god to send me a great man? and it wasn't like the answer was no. but i was asking god for one thing, and giving my heart to the opposite. "god, please send me a loving, christian man. but in the meantime, i'll date this loser who smirks at my faith, and runs out the door every time i have a problem."

well, this guy beats all the odds. he has been there for me since the first day we met, and especially since my father died. i appreciate him so much, and i know that my gratitude goes much deeper because of all the bad experiences i have had before him.

and it's not like i learned my lesson, or something. he just showed up. if i could write a self-help book for women who are looking for love and respect from a man, it would only have one page: "there is no way to find a guy. there is nothing you can do but wait, love yourself, wait, get all the degrees you want, wait, practice, knit, read, have girlfriends, wait, work out, enjoy your life, wait, and don't settle for anyone less than what you are looking for. and wait."

and you might have to try on a few idiots for size.