Q. My parents think my boyfriend, "Johnny," isn't good enough for me. They don't see the incredibly devoted side of him. I'm 23 and a recent college graduate. I'm back at home. Johnny is completing his undergraduate work at the university I attended, 375 miles away. My parents get this impression of him just because, for example, Johnny doesn't like it when I talk to male friends from high school I see in line at the grocery store. He says the only reason men talk to women is to, well, you know. Since he avoids the opposite sex, I think this is fair, so I don't go out with my girlfriends anymore when they go clubbing and stuff. He also doesn't like my talking with my parents about us, because he is a very private person. I respect that. Also, my parents think it is strange that even though his parents live close to school, I have never met them.

I think he may be the one for me. Other than these things, he has always been there for me. How do I get my parents off my back?