Dr. Laura:

Sometimes when I hear a young woman call in about boy woes, I am reminded of something that happened to me. When I was in high school many years ago, a guy friend told me that he rated girls from one to five:

1. ugly 
2. ok 
3. cute 
4. pretty 
5. beautiful 

He then told me I was a 3. Needless to say, I was disappointed to just be "cute." What girl doesn't want to be seen as Pretty or Beautiful? He said, "the cute girls get all the dates. Guys are afraid of the beautiful girls. We figure they are stuck up or out of our league. Pretty girls only seem to go out with the most popular or wealthy or charming guys. The cute girls are approachable, fun, not full of themselves, and are asked out the most. Cute girls are the ones that guys take home to meet Mom."

You know what? He was right. I was amazed in the following years I never lacked for dates as a young lady even though I never slept with a single guy till I married my husband, and I didn't even kiss on the first date. I watched with wonder as my pretty and beautiful friends were NOT asked out by some great guys. It amazes me still to this day. So I don't mind being a 3, because after all, the right guy did take me home to meet his wonderful mom over 31 years ago. And he thinks I'm beautiful!

Candy