DEAR ABBY: Like "Examining Life in Ohio," I also dreamed of a soul mate after a long so-so marriage in which neither of us was fulfilled. After my husband died, I adopted a "leave the door open a crack" attitude toward every man I met. He might not be handsome, articulate or well-dressed; he might be too short, too fat or bald, but underneath might lurk the man of my dreams. Well, I finally met him!
How did we know we were soul mates? Because we never stopped talking, could read each other's minds and were comfortable with each other from the day we met.
After five months we were married. He was 69 and I was 68. We've had seven glorious years together, we are still reading each other's minds, and neither of us can shut up! -- BARBARA MILLER, EL CERRITO, CALIF.
DEAR BARBARA: Lucky you, and may it ever be thus. Your experience reminds me of an old saying, "It may take some searching, but there's a lid for every pot."