Considering the fact that I was dating my first girlfriend in 1988 – I have had my share of romantic evenings over the last thirteen years. From evenings out on the town to quiet moments at home – romance has always been a part of my life. But of all the romantic evenings I have ever had – tonight’s has surpassed them all.

After a morning that consisted of coffee and WWF Livewire in bed, we headed out for a wake and came home to a night of champagne, strawberries, candlelight, music – and each other.

We sat in my pulled out couch and watched the sunset out the window while we sipped on individual bottles of champagne while we ate strawberries with no light on but a burning candle as we listed to the songs of Michael Feinstein with no other plans then to not do anything. All we did was enjoy an evening next to each other, spending time with each other – in love with each other.

As I sat there next to a woman who looked as if she was having the time of her life – I was amazed that someone who should have a line out of the door of her house was spending her time with me – and actually enjoying the time we were spending together. Here is a woman that was single when I met her for no other reason then I would believe then that she was locked in her basement until she was twenty-eight. And for some reason – she wants to spend a Saturday night – and a majority of her time – with me.

No matter what we do – from spending time at friend’s houses, to a romantic dinner out – to a Ring Fever taping – never do I look forward to anything more then an evening like this with Christine. To me, to be able to spend an evening doing absolutely nothing but have everything we want at our fingertips is to me – the ultimate romantic evening.

This may sound crazy – but for the first time in my life – I am receiving the love I have always given to others. When I spend time with Christine – be it with others and especially alone – we have such a good time that the world is forgotten and each other are all that matters. We laugh, hug, giggle, talk – and love – and whatever the rest of the world is doing is meaningless – because we are doing what we want to do more then anything else – spending quality time alone doing nothing but enjoying each other’s company.

I thank God every day that Christine and I not only met – but managed to find that we were both in need of a meaningful relationship with no agendas, prior baggage – or overlapping feelings that will effect the future of our relationship. Instead – we have both spent our entire relationship histories looking for a person that will love them the way we each have always looked to be loved – and finally found what we are looking for.

No matter how many other romantic nights I will have in my life – I will always remember what we experienced tonight as a night that I have hoped for night after night for thirteen years – with someone who wished for exactly same thing.