There are times I feel amazed that Rob and I are together when I so clearly don't deserve him. Yes, he may be a "chatter" and a bit of an oddball (not to mention overly cautious, hypochondriacal, socially awkward), but he's my oddball. And he's rare for our age. He knows how to treat a woman. Patient and forgiving, caring and attentive; intelligent but humble, affectionate but powerful, strong but gentle, he's one of the few romantics I've met who aren't bitter. He's not like me. Where I would hold a grudge, he overlooks an offense. Where I would play coy, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Where I would judge appearances, he perceives the underlying motivation. And where I would dwell on sorrow, he makes me laugh. He accepts my quirks. He initiates cuddling. He calls just to hear my voice. He's not just in it for the chase. In short, he's a dream... and a best-kept secret from little ol' Brookfield, VT.

We've been together nine months today. I can honestly say they've been the happiest of my adult life so far.