You all probably know at least one couple that no one can understand. Repeatedly, you hear questions such as, “Why is she with him?” “What does he see in her?” Well, I am in such a relationship.

(Columnist’s note: A good friend recently pointed out to me that I hadn’t bashed my significant other in my column for quite some time, and my “die-hard fans” [i.e., this good friend] might be wondering what was up. As this is my last column, I decided I should appease this segment of the ISU population. While I apologize for writing about my personal life, I thought perhaps my story could offer the rest of you some insight into these situations.)

My favorite question ever asked about my relationship came up one day in the car with my mom, my sister and my sister’s “Special Friend,” as my family likes to call him. First of all, let me explain that as my boyfriend’s politics differ substantially from my family’s, we tend to crack jokes about his politics, both in front of him and when he’s not there. This type of abuse had been going on in the car for a while when Special Friend asked, “So, if everybody hates Casey, why is Catherine going out with him?”

Another favorite came from Greg, the Daily’s opinion editor, upon reading a letter to the editor from my boyfriend. I don’t remember if the letter was refuting something I had written in my column or not, but I do remember Greg saying, “You know, I’m sure you love this guy, but there’s still time to get out,” or something to that effect.

Sometimes it’s just an involuntary reaction that causes a disparaging comment. For example, when I told a coworker that Casey wants to have seven kids, she wrinkled up her face and spat out, “Gross!”

Now, I know it’s not just my relationship that gets these responses. I remember one time my sister said to my mom, “I understand why you liked Dad, but I don’t quite get what he saw in you.”

I know my sister loves my mom and wasn’t trying to insult her at all, so I don’t get mad when people say similar stuff to me.

Let me clarify that it’s not just my family and friends who don’t understand my relationship with my boyfriend. His parents seem to be divided on the issue: his mom keeps bugging him to propose, but his dad recently told him he should get a new girlfriend.

The thing many people don’t seem to understand is that people who are in odd relationships such as mine usually have thought through all this. It’s not like I haven’t noticed that there are some conflicts in my relationship. If I hadn’t noticed myself, I probably would have picked up on it from roommates who hated my boyfriend, friends who point out other boys I should date and people who comment on the “open hostility” between my boyfriend and me.

To pick on Special Friend once again, he recently asked me if it doesn’t bother me that I have a long-term relationship when I supposedly believe women don’t have to have men in their lives.

I wasn’t offended by his question, but I thought it was interesting that he would ask. The last time I checked, most people don’t have every little detail of their lives congruent with every other little detail. Why do we assume that couples must agree on every issue? Is it not okay to have your own mind, and is it even worse if you’re not sure what you believe about something and/or why you believe it?

On one hand, I feel it is against my beliefs to go out with a man who thinks feminism is a sham and keeps a gun on his headboard. On the other hand, how fun would it be if my significant other thought and acted exactly like me? Cloning is bad, diversity is good!

Some people have an extensive checklist of traits that potential partners have to meet before they will consider a date. If you’ve seen the Boston “Real World” episodes on MTV, you might remember the woman who could never find a man who met her standards. It’s a personal decision, but I don’t think that is necessary.

Why should I refuse to associate with someone just because he or she doesn’t fit my description of the perfect person? I’m not perfect, so why should I expect other people to be perfect?

Please, the next time you see your friend with the obnoxious partner, don’t try to persuade him or her to dump the other person. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

Catherine Conover is a senior in liberal studies from Mapleton who is dangerously close to graduating. She is features editor of the Daily and will be missed by those who know and fear her.