I don't know what made me notice you. You were usually not in my line of sight; I guess there was something that drew us to each other. Maybe boredom, or maybe it was just a matter of looking beyond the usual.

Even as I got to know you there, in that long corridor, I wasn't sure things would work out. I hadn't ever been with someone like you before. Sure, you looked different, but would you end up being like all the others?

To this day, I'm not sure exactly what it was that made me commit. The hope of renewal? Rejuvination? Maybe I was just ready to take a chance for once...

From the first moment we were together, I knew I wanted to be with you forever. My worries evaporated. I noticed a bounce, a sleekness that I'd never seen in myself before. I wondered how long you'd been right in front of my eyes - why hadn't I noticed you sooner? Am I really that jaded, that cynical? Had I just simply lost hope? Whatever it was, you fixed everything. A part of my life that had previously been so rote and boring became new again. I started to look forward to our time together.

And so it has been for these last few years. With your help, I have felt beautiful and unfettered.

Then the unthinkable happened... you grew distant. It became hard to reach you, to find you. Oh, you were still around, but inwardly I was starting to panic. What if I lost you forever? I started demanding more of you than I ever had before. If only I knew then what I know now... maybe I would have demanded even more, but that would have only depleted what little was left of you...

Now I've discovered that without warning, you've disappeared. Disappeared! You can imagine my shock. I fervently searched for you in all of your usual haunts, but to no avail. I've started wondering how my life will be without you and disappointment washes over me. I decided to search farther and more intensely than ever before; but alas, you're gone. Just like that. Had you no thought to MY feelings, MY needs?

I didn't think we'd have to part this soon. I'll hopefully get over you and all that you've done for me. I suppose I'll play the field to find a replacement... after all, I didn't know that someone like you even existed. Maybe, just maybe there's another like you out there. Maybe they'll be smoother, or even smell better.

Still, you never forget your first love.

Yes, my favorite leave-in conditioner, manufactured by Vidal Sassoon, has been discontinued in all of North America. I can't even find it on UK websites.

I am desperate here, people! Proctor & Gamble say that there may actually be a few VS Deep Treatment Therapy packages left on store shelves. Please please please, I BEG you - if you see any, buy them out! I'll pay you back and keep you at the forefront of my mind for when I either a) win the lottery that I never play or b) finally hit the jackpot and get to take care of some rich patient who is so impressed with my exemplary nursing skills that he/she decides to reward me monetarily.

Maybe he'll even be the president of Vidal Sassoon. If so, I shall have some things to chat with him about!