He invited me over to watch the new “Battlestar Galactica” miniseries. After it was over, he declared that the decision to run from the Cylons was cowardly, though he acknowledged that to stay and fight meant the end of the human race. A true patriot would have fought anyway, he said. Then he informed me that the show was obviously anti-Iraq war propaganda, and that he was a fervent supporter of President George W. Bush.

—Shannon

Aftermath: I would have ended it right then, but felt bad because we had already purchased tickets to see the premiere of the last “Lord of the Rings” movie with mutual friends a few days later.

15

We were in his office when his mother stopped by, and he introduced me as “a friend.”

—MB

Aftermath: Thirty years later, he found me on Facebook and asks to meet for coffee to catch up. Catch up on what? My entire life?

8

I knew it was over when she said she was going to Afghanistan and all I could think of was, “Glad it isn’t me.”

–Alex

Aftermath: She’s still there. HA! And I’m still happy not being there.

5

He cried during the last “Lord of the Rings” movie.

—Kelly

Aftermath: He cried when I broke up with him, too.

8

My first serious relationship was with a Canadian man. Ours was a long-distance affair, and I only actually “saw” him occasionally. When we were together, I’d try to make up for lost time by absorbing every gesture, look and quirk about him. One day I good-naturedly joked with him because his accent caused him to pronounce bagels as “bag-uls,” which I found very endearing. Unfortunately, he did NOT find this amusing in any way, and started a vicious fight that resulted in me crying in the car. Strangely enough, this didn’t concern him, but pointing out his interpretation of ‘bag-uls’ certainly struck a chord.

—Caitlin

Aftermath: The relationship lasted off and on for about 3 ½ years and ended shortly after bagel fiasco.

9