Circumstances conspired to change the timeline. I'd planned to wait another two months but I already knew two months ago. I didn't want there to be any question that this was about anything other than how I felt about her -- no obligations, no pressure, no demands, nothing forced.

I'm an atheist and have been one all my life. It's not a good idea to proselytise within hearing range of me because I most happily argue the subject and really need to figure out how to make that pay better.

I also learned long ago that, even if she's an atheist, if I want a companion sans Y-chromosome there's going to be some esoteric crap in the mix. I can live with it. But discussing it with me? No. Uh-uh. Very Bad Idea™. I'm more likely to let you bend me over the counter with a strap-on but to edit and post the video to YouPorn than put up with such a conversation.

Poll: name my potential/hypothetical offspring