Man, life is crazy. Two weeks ago I thought I wouldn't be able to stomach the long-distance relationship; I thought I would visit Kate and then come back heartbroken and depressed.

But it was one of those entire-life-changing things. I saw her and I knew she is part of me. We saw Howard Dean, and opinions started to form. He inspired me to care for something I never cared for a day in my life -- the potential of the government to actually do something for the people.

And Vermont... Vermont.

Since I came home, I feel like I haven't felt anything more right in my life. Gotta finish school, gotta get involved, gotta marry that girl and make her the happiest girl in the world. I mentioned that I asked her to marry me, right? Also, did I mention that she will?

I knew forever ago that she was the girl I would marry, and she knew it, and our friends knew it and our family knew it... but I never actually imagined the dreams would be in any way realistic.

So now, to get on with my life. Which is something I have never done. It's as though I graduated high school a month ago -- and here I am looking for the number for my senior class's president to start planning our ten-year reunion.

God damn growing up for real, though.