When a couple celebrates their one year anniversary, tradition suggests that the man’s gift to his lady should be paper, because, according to an anniversary website:

“The perfect first anniversary gift is a love letter on paper that you know she will find appealing. All you need to do is sit down and write from the heart. Before you start writing, think about how she makes you feel and all the reasons you are so fortunate to be together. Let her know you appreciate her. We can assure you she will be impressed that you took the time to write a personalized letter.”

Being a writer – this is a no brainier.

For the last year, Julie and I had to endure the first five months together by being separated by 180.05 miles from door to door – and being forced to see each other only once a month…

…and have enjoyed the last seven months by living under the same roof – and being separated by only the 4.6 miles it takes me to get to and from work each day – and back home again to her awaiting arms.

The first five months of our relationship were spent in and out of hotels, and friend’s and parent’s houses – followed by long, lonely weeks apart. While that was hard to endure for both of us – our video web chats at least let us look into each other’s eyes – despite being separated by glass monitors and what seemed like separate worlds…

…but then, I got my current job – and on December 23, 2007 – our lives finally became one.

Although I knew her for four years before that – I never lived with her except for a few days at a time – meaning that we stayed at mine and other people’s houses for a few days during South Park conventions. But despite the fact that we did that – you do not know how a person is until you actually live with them.

Now that we have lived together for seven months, I can tell you that we do have our differences. She hates the fact that I am anal enough to alphabetize my DVDs – and I hate the fact that she does not replace the empty roll of toilet paper in its rightful place…

…but if that is our biggest problem – then we are doing just fine.

I have to say that I have officially lived with five women – my ex-wife Lis, Lisa, Sandy, Diane – and now Julie – I have to say that no one has ever been a better housemate. She is amazing at making sure that I get everything I need, she does anything in the house that needs to be done, she goes to the store to get what we need without question – and she does it all not because I ask or even tell her – but before I even know I need or want it. From my heart pills being filled, to a bill being paid – to Beavis needing a new can of wet food – she is all over it.

I told Julie from day one, that every man and woman – at least physically – has the same thing – and that what I was looking for was a partner. While I have made that statement to many women before her – she is the first one that has actually lived up to that statement. She is what I have asked everyone else I have dated and lived with to be – a partner. Anyone can be a girlfriend, anyone can be a lover – but it takes a true woman to be a partner…

…and she not only is – she defines the word in the truest sense.

Truthfully – and Julie knows this – I am embarrassed that I have written so many columns about “the girl of my dreams” – only to have to redact it at a later date. But I am confident that now I won’t have to. I hate myself for writing so many columns about “the one” and then overwriting them with “the next ‘girl of my dreams.’” But this time – I think I finally got it right.

Thanks for everything – and I mean everything Julie – I hope you, as that anniversary website said, “Found this appealing and know how wonderful you make me feel and know all the reasons I am so fortunate that we are together – and I hope I let you know how much I appreciate you.”

As far as I am concerned – forever is already here.