You are all right and all make perfect sense and I appreciate all of you taking the time to write me about this--I kinda had a small talk w/ my mother tonight about everything--I didn't talk to her about the certain 'guy' that I like; I just talked to her and told her how I felt a little and she told me that she understood that I needed to get out and do my own things and get my own life--and that she would help me all she could if I ever needed her for anything, and you all know I'm gonna need my mom all through out my life, cause don't we all? so I hope she might finally see everything the way I am seeing things-- I know she's still gonna be 'overly protective' because that's just my 'mom.' but like she said earlier that she use to do about my older brother--everytime he would leave to go somewhere like work or out w/ friends etc that all she could do was say a prayer that he'll come home safe and that's what I want her to do for me.....so thanks for listening to me guys and still feel free to tell me anything you think I might should know....talk to ya'll later!