who's afraid of the dark?

i've been afraid of the dark for the past four years. i haven't slept alone since second year college, and if i need to do so, i sleep with all the lights on and the television running (yes, i waste energy). pulled-out chairs, half-opened closet doors and empty unmade beds always manage to keep me awake, and try as i might to sleep with the lights and tv off, the thought of waking up in the middle of the night to a dark room is enough for me to rush to the light switch and search for the remote control.

i always thought this quirk of mine was one of the best reasons to get married. of course, there's love, companionship, children, yada yada... but what better way to get a peaceful, fear-less night's rest than to know that you're always going to be sleeping next to someone who will either protect you from things that lurk in the dark or affectionately, albeit a bit meanly, laugh off your fears and hug you anyway? knowing that i have someone, for better, for worse, who will stay next to me while i sleep will make me able to securely walk to the bathroom and pee without any scary thoughts running through my head.

last night, though, i took a risk and went to bed for the first time with the lights and tv turned off. nothing happened. well, of course nothing would happen! what did i expect, really??

well, there are still those other reasons to get married, i guess. =)