A classmate of mine got married two weeks ago. I found myself thinking, "now he's got someone to wake up next to."

Hold the phone! Where did that come from, that erroneous, cliche thought? Why would waking up next to someone be desirable? Just old tapes, cultural pap, false ideas asserting themselves in an impulsive thought.

I have a difficult time getting quality sleep when I share a bed. I wake up when the bed clothes move. I hear every sound made by my friend's body. I hog the duvet. Snorer? One of us is couchin' it, and I'm breakin' out the earplugs.

No, I don't want someone to wake up next to (okay, it's nice now and then). I want someone to live next to. Someone with whom I can cook, play, solve problems, do work, watch movies, take motorcycle trips and experience new things. A companion. A consort (because I am royalty, darling).

I am sure I'm not to only one who sees it this way.