Hi Butch,

Wow! What a great woman you have - not like most I talk about in my column. You flunked out of school and lost your license, and she still has feelings for you. Most girls would have dropped you for more petty transgressions, like not spending more money on them - but she hung in there. This is truly a success story. Don't get me wrong guys, I always want you to put your best foot forward, but this shows you what a woman with high Interest Level will put up with.

She is also loyal, and loyalty is the most important virtue your future wife can have. If you don't believe me, just imagine how devastating it would be to one day find your true love smooching with your best buddy. When a woman is loyal she tends to be trustworthy, and all successful long-term relationships are also built on trust.

Because you played it cool for 8 years, Butch, you allowed Challenge to work on her. That's why when you kissed her, you didn't hear: "Not so fast, Butch." The "System" says: "the woman lets the man know when it is time", and she let you know that it was time when she invited you back to her place for some necking. So in your unique case, yes, it is possible for long term friends to have a romantic relationship.

But guys, don't be deluded by this statistical fluke. Most of the time, once a girl has decided that you're her friend, getting her to switch tracks and start thinking of you romantically, is like trying to get Jesse Jackson to vote Republican. What you usually hear when you try to make the shift from buddy to boyfriend, are those five words that strike terror in the hearts of good men: "Can't we just be friends?" To avoid this discouraging scenario, always let the woman you're interested in know up front that you're there to date her, not befriend her.

Butch, I think this girl is a good candidate for the long haul because she has high Interest Level in you and just as important, she respects you, despite your shortcomings. But before you two tie the knot, you should ask yourself: If I'm not capable of maintaining a valid driver's license, would I be capable of maintaining a valid marriage license (a long term committed relationship with a woman)? Do you see what I'm getting at, Butch? So you have some work to do on your life skills before you 're ready for Matrimony. But I'm very optimistic that one day you will find yourself driving your new bride off into the sunset to your honeymoon hideaway. Just be sure not to drive at 95 miles an hour - unless your dad is Vice President.

Remember guys, what the Mafia and Fido have in common; they know that loyalty is Numero Uno.