Ten Hints for Dating Melissa

As a public service to a would-be suitor, here are ten tips to get our relationship off to a successful start:

1. Love my son but don't try to be dad yet
2. Think my cats and dog are cute (or fake it convincingly)
3. Read my blog faithfully
4. Be patient with my total lack of biking skillz
5. Tolerate my knitting obsession
6. Cheerfully offer a bite of whatever you're eating
7. Never cheer for the Yankees
8. Praise my cooking publicly
9. Offer to mow the lawn (and mean it)
10. Don't ever say the following:

"I always pictured myself with a taller, thinner girl" or

"I hope I meet someone just like you, only younger."

There! That's not so hard, is it? We're going to get along just fine!