Did the Ugly Ducking Become a Swan or Did He Just Think She Did? by Cheryl Lavin on Creators.com

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Did the Ugly Ducking Become a Swan or Did He Just Think She Did?

You know the way mothers and fathers say they love all their children equally. But they don't. They have a favorite. Well, I freely admit that DAVE in today's column is one of my all-time favorite writers.

DAVE: I love my girlfriend. I mean truly and deeply love her. Not only can't I imagine my life without her, I can barely remember what it was like before she came along a mere 15 months ago. I suppose that neither one of us would qualify as the "perfect package." I'll leave my shortcomings to her to list, but here's the person I met that wonderful night at the Grafton in Lincoln Square.

She was more than a few pounds overweight, and she had an overbite that was so severe she lisped. Her hair had a mind of its own. It kind of looked like there was a thick, black mop on top of her head.

She was just back from studying abroad in Europe for two years, and she was planning on returning sometime in the summer of 2012 as she still, at age 34, didn't have a degree in anything . She was unemployed with no prospects for employment. She was living with her mom and didn't have a car. On paper, she wasn't much of a catch.

But, when she sat down across from me, I was instantly captivated. She's brilliant, funny and full of great stories. Her smile was so radiant it could well be the real source of global warming. It just lit up the room. She laughed at my jokes (most people roll their eyes), and we had inside jokes and asides within 10 minutes.

We just clicked.

I thought I knew better than to get too emotionally invested with someone who wasn't planning on sticking around, but now we're talking about moving in together. She has a fantastic job — makes more than I do, which is OK with me, a new car, and she's as in love with me as I am with her.

If I had let a few things get in the way, I never would have found a relationship with the most amazing woman I've ever met. And to be clear, when I look at her, I think she's absolutely beautiful.

DEBBIE: Now that I'm in my mid-40s and on my second marriage, I'm learning a lot about the complexities of attraction and how it evolves as we mature. What I found attractive in my 20s, I cringe at with real embarrassment. (Struggling "musician" anyone? Ewww!)

I definitely find certain physical qualities attractive or unattractive and I know men feel the same about whatever qualities I have. Going through dry spells when you're dating make it seem like every strike out is personally directed at you, but it's not. You know when you're just not into someone it's probably not personal. It just is what it is.

They call it "that special someone" for a reason. It's rare.

JADEN: Why can't a person have both — the cover and the contents? Why not looks and character? That's what both sexes are looking for. If the outside isn't great, make it better. If the inside is lacking, work on it.

Has your opinion of someone's attractiveness changed as you got to know him or her? Send your tale, along with your questions, problems and rants to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my new website askcheryl.net.