For two years I was a member of a dating web site. One of the questions on there for your profile was, "What is the most private thing about yourself that you are willing to reveal here?" I think for most of that time I had some cutesy little answer in there like, "I'm a Diet Coke addict," or something.

But despite doing all kinds of things to attract a mate, I could not really connect with anyone. I changed my hair style. I lost weight. I quit smoking and drinking. I kept my profile up to date and witty. And I dated 7 women from there in those two years before I made the change in my profile that attracted the right person.

You see, after I would have a date or two with a woman I had to reveal the really private thing about myself that, at the time, I was not willing to put in a public profile. I have bipolar disorder, and after I revealed that I got dropped like a hot rock every time. I wouldn't let things get too far knowing what might happen. I would just get to know these women a little better and then tell them about the illness. I thought that was only fair.

So after getting dumped for the seventh time for the same reason, I just put it right out there.

What is the most private thing about yourself that you are willing to reveal here?

"I have bipolar disorder. It's been under control for 9 years and I take medication for it. I see a doctor regularly and I plan on being in treatment for the rest of my life. If you thought my profile was eloquent and intelligent, it was written by the same brain that wrote this part."

Then I just let it go. A few months later a nice woman wrote to me saying that she liked my profile and would like to talk to me. We sent a few messages back and forth. Then we talked on the phone a couple of times. Then we went on a date. We are now married. She says that the part about my profile that really caught her eye was the honesty. That and I'm pretty darn cute.