Upon our arrival, the first thing we did was "get married." Not oficially, but romantically. We participated in their "Renewal of Vows" ceremony, which they held as part of "Chivalry Week." With His Eminence Pastor Sinnius Vice presiding over the ceremony, which included songs and readings each professing true love - we stood together holding hands as we drew closer to the moment of the vows. When they came, we repeated what His Eminence said and then recited our own. I must tell you that while I hope that Julie found my vows to be romantic - I found hers to be so moving that I was brought to tears. Through her words, promises and vows - along with the truth in the meaning behind them - she made me feel so safe and free of doubt that this woman would ever break my heart. Twelve years ago, I got legally married and did not feel my ex-wife's vows had as much honesty and certainty behind them as Julie's had - that's how much what she said moved me.

After the ceremony, we went to the town's White Heart Tavern to have our wedding cake - and receive our ceremonial certificate. As I was standing there with the other participants, as well as His Eminence and the King himself - I actually felt as if I got married - even more so then when I actually did over a decade ago. All through the reception and for the rest of the day, I kept calling her "Mrs. Wein" and proudly told anyone within earshot that we got married and how much I love her. Despite my past fear of relationships and heartbreak - it felt really good to do so - because thanks to Julie - my fears were completely gone.

Between my long string of relationship disasters and my year-long stint of loneliness - I have come to realize something that I both knew all my life and know is obvious - but is something I never vocalized to myself before. Physically, although they come in different shapes and sizes - every woman on this planet has the same thing. What makes each woman unique, however, is their attitude, personality and character. Over the course of my life, I have dated some women with serious anger management problems, women who are absolutely impossible to please - and women who were more interested in the content of my wallet rather than the content of my heart. Julie, however, is anything but what I have experienced in my past. She wants to build a future instead of start a fight. She wants to be a team instead of be at each other's throats. She sees the big picture and not the big paycheck. And - she defines what a woman should be rather than add to the stereotype of what I have come to think a woman is.

Unbelievably, we met over four-and-a-half years ago, but did not become a couple until July 27th of this year. I often wonder how differently my life would be if we had dated then instead of now. For one thing, doing so would have saved me a lot of heartache - and truthfully - I think that if we were together for the last four-and-a-half years - the "Renewal of Vows" ceremony we participated in last Sunday would have been just that.

But rather than dwell on what could have been - I much prefer to focus on what is - and what will be. Considering the fact that Julie has, in addition to a gorgeous body - a beautiful mind, spirit, personality and soul - and the fact that I am thankfully everything she is looking for in a man - I am absolutely confident that this relationship is not doomed for disaster - but rather bound for greatness. We both know what the other one wants - and have what the other one needs. We both know what actions it would take to break each other's hearts - and have no intentions on doing them. And, we have each been searching for our respective Prince Charming and Cinderella - and now know that we have found them...

...and plan to live happily ever after.