He's white. I'm black.

Yes, in the past four years we happened to come across that fact. It just seems as if others are just now noticing. But I assure you, it was a conscious decision for my boyfriend and me to try this thing out.

One of my high school professors had a sign posted in his room that read "care about people's approval, and you will be their prisoner." So I thought to myself, what the heck, nothing beats a failure but a try. In high school -- yes that's when and where it all began.

Of course, we were in Texas at the time, where the color barrier seemed to already be broken. He probably lost some so-called friends, and a few of mine didn't understand the attraction. But I've heard love is blind. We decided as long as we liked one another, it was us against the world. And that's how it should be, right?

Then the time came when we both decided to try our hand at college in the great state of Louisiana. His decision to transfer to be closer to me proved his love. Little did we know what upcoming trials and tribulations we would encounter. Here our lifestyle wasn't half as accepted as it was back home.

In fact, my editor mentioned how many more interracial relationships she noticed during her weekend trip to Ft. Worth, Texas.

Now this isn't to say disapproval of interracial relationships doesn't exist in the Lone Star State, but I've just noticed it more in "Da" Boot.

I love the food. I love the entertainment. I even love the atmosphere. What I don't love, however, are the stares shot toward us at certain department stores.

I don't appreciate the restaurant service, which seems as slow as molasses in the winter (thanks Dad for that analogy), when we come in together. I don't appreciate the subtle comments made at the grocery store behind our backs.

Somebody right now is probably cursing me out and demanding I get used to it and get over it. Those are my sentiments exactly. Get used to it and get over it! We're not together for your approval and we don't plan on not being together because of your disapproval.

Yes, there was a time when blacks and whites could not eat at the same restaurants or drink out of the same water fountain, let alone date one another. But that time, my friends, has passed. Whether you accept it or not, that time has passed.

A cultural boundary line has been crossed, for those of you who were unaware. I had a blast at Swampstock 2003. Besides my outward appearance (and I don't mean my attire,) I fit right in.

And he's not trying to act black, if that's what you wish to call it, when he turns up the bass on his favorite DMX song.

If it bothers you, don't look. If you don't agree, fine! Everyone is entitled to his or her individual opinion.

Just don't let your failure to understand, hatred, dislike or ignorance, whichever you choose, affect the way you treat us in your place of business or out on the streets.

Love sees no color, right? So why does everyone else?

Amber Miles is a junior journalism major from Dallas and serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk.