Does he say your name

As the daughter of a pastor I'm constantly making it into my dad's sermons--for better or for worse. While it's not always fun for the entire congregation to know about the first time I thought I was too grown to obey a curfew, or the bank statements that have given my dad small panic attacks, it makes me blush to know that his princess is on his mind enough to make it into the message he feeds his flock every week. Even though he usually shares more than I wish he would, it makes me feel special (kind of like how he insisted on holding my hand as we walked halfway through Times Square when he dropped me off in NYC for the summer).

That's all his way of proclaiming to the world (specifically the male portion) that I'm covered. There's already someone who loves me, protects me, provides for me, and sets the standard for any potential suitors who want to take a stab at being "the man" in my life. Steve Harvey (yes I actually bought his relationship book and liked it) says men profess, provide, and protect a woman they really love, all of which Dr. Williams handles pretty well for my mom, setting an awesome example for my brothers.

So, I started thinking, for 20-something women in a 21st century world, does professing include facebook? Harvey mentioned that a man who's in it for the long haul gives you a title, and shares it with the world. Since everyone I know in the world is on facebook, is my man required to profess his love to me by clicking the right tab on his profile? Do you care if your boo has a relationship status at all? Does your significant other have to list your name under the relationship status? Is it okay to put that you're "in a relationship" or should it upgrade to "engaged" or "married" after a certain amount of time? Do you really need that whole couples photo album thing, or is that just cheesy? And what the hell does it mean if your honey opts to put, "it's complicated"?

Does your boo claim you on facebook? Fill me in...please.

Touched by a king

I watched The Jackson Five movie so much when I was younger, my mother eventually took the tape and banned me from touching it. Fastforward about five years and the King of Pop re-emgerged on the world stage with his Invincible album, and that's when it happened. That's when I fell for him. My aunt had given me his album as only a stocking stuffer, but it was the best Christmas gift I'd gotten that winter.

He's the man who made us all believe in Never Neverland. He's the guy who convinced us all that being bad was a good thing. We've loved . RIP Michael Jackson. You've made a lasting impact on this PYT.

When did you first invite the king into your world? What were you listening to when you realized that his songs could very well provide the party soundtrack to your life?

Tell me your favorite Michael moment.

Is there life after the beat down?

We all know Chris Brown hasn't exactly been making his mama proud lately (openly chilling at Diddy's summer home hours after beating an international pop princess like she stole something...he's made better decisions). Brown is the perpetrator in the most talked about domestic violence scandal since we found out Bishop Thomas Weeks was abusing our favorite female evangelist, Juanita Bynum. What's different about this case? Chris Brown and Rihanna are young American pop royalty with good looks, style, and talent for days, and they're both barely old enough to drink legally.

So he faced the music and now he's stuck cleaning the streets, and oh yeah, he'll live the rest of his life with an ugly criminal record. But what this brotha has over the other convicted felons out there is that he's such a cutie pie. Honestly, we all know Chris Brown may have lost some banging endorsement deals, but he'll probably have an album out within a year, and it'll probably go platinum. But what about his relationship fate? Is there hope for his love life after the worst beat down of his young life? Will we shake our heads at the next PYT on Mr. Brown's arm, but secretly envy her?

I've heard most young women my age dis Chris for his ways, but they were the same young women talking about how fine he was a few months ago. And don't most women secretly take pride in getting the guy who they think they can change into the man he's supposed to be? Beating Rihanna was grimy, but, if Chris Brown walked up to you and spit game tomorrow, would you send him walking (with his super star status, southern boy charm, and serious bank)?

As much as my mother would hate for me to admit it, I'd think twice before telling the brother that all I could offer him was prayer. Shoot, the last time I went on a date...wait, does that intern mixer a random hottie invited me to even count as a date? Probably not. Should the ladies look past Chris Brown's ruined rep to see the great catch he used to be--or at least the guy we all thought he was?

Tell me what you think.