I still think of her sometimes. Her name was Renee. And everything about her was just … well, perfect. Her smile, her sense of humor, her birthmark that peeked ever so slightly … sorry, I drifted a bit … she was just a special woman. My only regret was that our relationship was so short-lived.

What’s Up Fly Guy, Before I get into the question at hand, let me put some background information out there. I’m a 24 year old, single black man in the military. I’ve recently been stationed overseas.

I currently reside in Atlanta, and according to the women here, I’ve literally stumbled upon a utopian society for single men. As far as they’re concerned, Atlanta is the land of milk and honey, where men roam freely while pining women throw rose petals at their feet.

I’m bruised. I’m bloodied. I’m battered. And I know that our outcome appears bleak, but I’m far from deterred. I still love you … that’s just a reality that we both have to accept. So if my words and actions no longer elicit any type of positive response from you, then maybe this song can.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll continue to say it. There’s no better way to get my motor running than meeting a woman capable of expressing herself to me. Now I’m not talking about the “I love you … I’m mad at you … why won’t you talk to me” type of stereotypical expression that most men (perhaps unfairly) have come to expect from women.

Dear Fly Guy, When is it appropriate for a woman to pay for a date? We seem to be having a disagreement about this with the men in my office. Thanks for your help.

The walls were closing in on me last night as I diligently worked to finish my relationship manifesto (trust me people; this will be a must-read when it arrives in bookstores.) So with no desire to spend the rest of my night battling severe bouts of claustrophobia, I headed out at 2 a.m. to meet a friend who was still out partying with a few of her girlfriends.

Before I begin, I have to admit that I’m not entirely sure of what I want to accomplish by writing this. On the one hand, a small part of me wants to use this opportunity to express my optimism in the possibility of there one day being an “us.”

As we dim the lights, and inch ever closer to consummating the love shared between the two of us … (exhale) … it’s time for our bodies to synchronize to the beautiful melodies of the following songs.

I’ve made mistakes in my past. I’ve admittedly told a few lies. I’ve even broken my fair share of hearts. So if you wake up today and decide that you no longer want to be in my presence, then I can’t be mad … in fact, I probably deserve that and countless other things.