The most blessed among the daughters of men

I am the luckiest of women. I have found true love. The romance happened so suddenly that I can barely contain my excitement. I expect a proposal at any time.

The entire event unfolded yesterday as I left work in a rush to make the 5:40 train (I had a Young Women's meeting at 7:00). As I cleared the gate from work, I heard a voice amidst the street vendors on Sunset Boulevard proclaim, "Mmmm, hmmm. That's what I like."

I paid no attention although I was immediately thrown back to walking past the local colmado in the Dominican Republic and being assaulted with a barrage of cat calls, whistles, and the phrase Americana tan rubia, casate conmigo. "Ah, I would think. What a happy couple we would make. You could drink ron and chase American girls all day while I chased you with a frying pan. If only my father were here to give you my hand, we could immediately enter the portrait of connubial bliss that would be our union."

Yet, I digress. After having achieved perfection in the eye of my suitor, I was then given the age old symbol of romance - the wolf whistle. This was followed by several clever attempts to get my attention. "Hey you!" "Come here!" and "I'm talking to you!" were the witty, seductive greetings I was given by my Romeo.

Had I not been such a bashful virgin, I am certain I would have thrown off my clothes and had him right there on the steps of the Children's Hospital after such stellar, ladylike treatment. Unfortunately, my demure nature forced me to keep my gaze focused on the train station. As I passed, I was given what every woman dreams will someday happen to her, my besotted suitor shouted over the sound of passing cars and the smell of urine that permeates downtown LA, "Hey! I love you!"

And to think I ever doubted that romance is alive and well in metropolitan America.