DR. WALLACE: I have been a reader of your column for several years and I know you never approve of older guys dating younger girls. Well, you need to hear my story and then you will know that this sometimes happens, and it's not always wrong.

I've been dating girls since I was 15, and I'm now 24. I've dated girls of all ages and I've been serious about a few of them in their twenties, but I've also dated several girls younger than I am and I've never met anyone who turned me on more than Linda. We met at the skating rink while I was showing off skating backwards and accidentally knocked her down.

When I helped her to her feet and asked if she was hurt (she wasn't), I noticed that she was the cutest girl I'd ever seen. I apologized for running into her and told her I'd like to take her out. She gave me her number and we made a date for the next Saturday at the rink.

We had a great time and she let me drive her home. On the way, she told me she was only 14, and that she wasn't allowed to date yet. I was surprised and really disappointed, but she said we could see each other regularly at the rink. We've been seeing each other for over two months, and she's everything a guy could ask for. She's cute, smart, has a great figure and a great sense of humor and she really turns me on. (Yes, we do have sex, but I always use protection.) She must really like me, too, because she wants me to take her to dinner and a movie on a skating night. She thinks she can keep it from her mother since she will think she's at the rink.

I believe that when you find true love, you should relish the moment. But just in case you don't agree with me, please don't give me any lectures. — Greg, Philadelphia.

GREG: Your story simply boils down to this: You are using an underage, immature, emotionally undeveloped child to gratify yourself sexually. Sorry, no way does this qualify as "love." You are guilty of statutory rape and could be in prison for your criminal behavior.

Why did you contact me? I think it was because you wanted someone to convince you that what you're doing is wrong. Well, it is wrong, and I hope (more for the girl's sake than for yours) that you will stop seeing this girl immediately! She's only 14, and the love she needs isn't the kind that requires a condom from a 24-year-old emotionally unbalanced male!

Professional counseling from a psychiatrist is the first step in turning your life around to become a decent human being.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.