So in 1998, I got an email from a young lady complimenting me on an article I wrote and asking if I wanted to meet for coffee the next time I was in her town.

My response was my usual reply in such situations: "Are you a cop? You have to tell me if you are."

Turned out it was not a cop, but rather @lschmeiser. And she turned out to be a delight and so we started dating.

20 years ago, we made it nice and legal. And after two apartments, two houses, a couple cross-state moves, more than a couple job changes, a kid, and assorted hijinks, I& #39;d say it& #39;s worked out pretty well.

Our lodger seems pleased, at any rate.