DR. WALLACE: I've got a problem that's not major, but it does "bug" me. I'm a 23-year-old young woman. I have a college degree and I'm an elementary teacher. I love my job, and I also love my boyfriend who is 19. He's a high school graduate, and is employed by his grandfather's construction company. We met at a mutual friend's Valentine's party and have been together ever since. I've been dating since I was 16, and I'm positive this guy will be my husband in a year from now. He is my "knight in shining armor," and we are a real "in-love" couple.

My main concern is that my parents and some of my close friends are bothered that I'm nearly four years older than my guy. Some of them even accuse me of "robbing the cradle." I've tried to get my parents to spend time with Mitch and me so they can get to know him better, but they always say, "We don't want to know him better."

Please give me your feelings about this situation. — Nameless, Miami, Fla.

NAMELESS: I feel your parents' response is not reasonable. The difference in ages between you and Mitch is not significant. Your parents should do just what you have suggested: Spend time with the two of you together and get to know him.

I DON'T WANT TO GET RIPPED OFF

DR. WALLACE: I'm a high school senior and will graduate this June. My goal is to own a printing shop, so I have decided to attend a trade school instead of going to college. My dad says that some trade schools are rip-offs. They take your money, but don't care about giving their students a quality education. How can I tell if a certain trade school is a rip-off? — Ken, Riverside, Calif.

KEN: Check to find out if the trade school you are interested in attending is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body, such as the Accrediting Commission of Independent Colleges and Schools or the Accrediting Commission of Trade and Technical Schools. Your high school counselor can help you find this information.

THE ROMAN EMPEROR BANNED KISSING

DR. WALLACE: I'm dating a guy who has an ugly cold sore on his lip, and, of course, I don't allow any kissing. I know cold sores are contagious, but not serious. My aunt thinks they are a form of herpes, which is a sexually transmitted disease. She says that the virus stays with you forever! Is this true? — Jody, Reno, Nev.

JODY: Your aunt is confused. Cold sores are a form of type 1 herpes. They can look ugly and are highly contagious, but not dangerous. Type 2 herpes, better known as genital herpes, is considered a sexually transmitted disease.

There is no real cure for either type 1 or type 2 herpes. In both types, the virus usually lies dormant most of the time and flares up only occasionally. There is documented evidence of cold sores dating back over 2,000 years. The virus caused such a terrible epidemic of lip sores in ancient Rome that the emperor banned kissing!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.