My mother has teased me for years about being a romantic and I fought the moniker for 35 years.

But you know what? I am. It's part of who I am. I do believe.

I believe in love at first sight.
I believe in forever.
I love the idea that things that were broken can be fixed.

I'm not stupid - hell, I've been married almost 18 years. I know all about the truth and the hard stuff and the way that you get in a grind and fight and snarl and all.

But, you know what? I still love him. I still look at him every now and again and think, damn, he's a good-looking man.

I still hold him in my heart as my hero, because when I can't cope anymore, he can. He always manages to.