An audition to remember. "Vocally versatile and a personable guy," so sayeth Dave. Okay, I’m already on the train. I actually even love listening to Dave’s speaking voice; soft, husky with just a touch of accent and then the quiet, understated eloquence of his response. Who knew we’d get to meet the word nerd, the guy next door and the rock star all in that first, brief but memorable acquaintance? His words were such an understatement and yet they totally encapsulated why his fans came to adore him. So, yeah, I loved him from that first audition. Although, when he walked into the room I was sure he was going to be one of the joke contestants. I mean, pink bangs and fauxhawk? It had the total makings of a bad audition going even more horribly wrong. But, then he spoke and THEN he sang. To quote a fellow future contender, “It’s all wrong but it’s all right.” Even with the punked out hair he seemed soft and approachable and it didn’t distract me from his beautiful, porcelain skin (sue me, I’m a sucker for a great complexion) pretty smile with dimples and did I mention that awesomely edgy voice?

Then, during the Hollywood auditions he made fun of his hair (those soon to be infamous 15 hairs) and the love became binding. Cause there’s nothing hotter than a self-deprecating man, except for one who can sing, of course. The first real competition week at Top 24, I was slightly disappointed in Happy Together but only because he’d smoothed out his voice. Then he made up for it with the awesome mic stand twirling and total confidence in his performance. I forgave him the grins because, well, he was, so happy to be there! As was I – happy to be enjoying what I assumed would be the brevity (drink!) of my favorite contestant’s journey. Yeah, my pick never makes it far. But, miraculously, he made it through that first week only to assure me at Top 20, "Baby, it’s all right now." Yes, in just a week, some how I had become his baby. And that was even before I knew we were in a relationship. So, you see, by the time he said hello at Top 16, he had already been talking to me for weeks. So, when he asked, “Is it me you’re looking for?” I could honestly say, no, boyfriend, I already done found you. He may as well have been singing, “is it me you’re voting for.” Cause, who-boy I surely was. And did - the first time ever I saw his face (okay, I’ll stop now.)

So, there you have the genesis of my ethereal (drink!) love of the Cookie. Arm porn. crooked smiles and CFM eyes. And beautiful music emanating from an amazing voice. We’ve had our spats (those AIRNIY emo-bangs) and one volatile argument (HLTW. 500 songs that freakin shaped rock n roll to choose from. Really, Dave?) But, the making up part has been great - LS, ABMB, YF, ISHFWILF, TWIK. Ah, yes, love IS gathering. And it's all thanks to that goofy dude who auditioned for a silly singing contest in Omaha. At 5:30 in the morning. And it rained. And at the end of it all, there was a rainbow,