It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I'm a bit . . . messy [1]. I tend to be disorganized and I spill things all the time. My boyfriend [2], on the other hand, is one of neatest people [3] I know. Everything is spick and span — he's a perfectionist, to say the least.

Since we started dating, I have to say he's improved my general disorderliness. Also, he keeps his cool when it comes to my constant breaking and spilling things. It's pretty wonderful dating a neat freak like him. Here's nine reasons . . .

He helps me organize my room to perfection — all the time.

He always has a paper towel nearby for my spilling.

He makes sure I don't leave stuff lying on the ground . . . so I don't trip on anything.

He designates cleaning times so that we can keep things tidy.

Even when I think we're finished cleaning, I learn that there's still more to be done.

He repositions things I put on the table because he knows I will knock them over.

He taught me that packing a suitcase doesn't mean shoving a pile of clothes into a bag.

You won't see a single ring at any table we sit at — we always use coasters.

He's very patient with me and makes me a tidier person every day.