Also, you know, its not all about grand passions. Sometimes being attracted to kids simply means being able to tolerate one of them for slightly longer than might otherwise be the case, or maybe making a connection for a couple of hours with a kid you'll never see again.

When I talk about falling in love, its the same as it is for most people. I don't fall in love every five minutes. There are less than a handful of kids who have been a really significant presence in my life. So while these have been episodes, and not my whole life, they've had a real impact on me. That's one reason I can't discount my experiences as easily as some people think I ought to. Also, I'm comfortable that my friendship has been a positive experience for those kids, and I've been told as much by them and people around them.

Maybe love's the wrong word, but it's the word that seems to fit.