Guys, thanks for the support, but believe me - defending my character isn't necessary. Sonny wakes up in the morning a happy, active kid. She calls me "Dad" and my girlfriend Marianne "Mom" and truthfully, and I'm pretty sure we are the most stable family Sonny has ever had... even if we aren't married. Tonight, Marianne and Sonny are taking a hip hop class together, and next weekend they are both flying up north to visit Marianne's family.
This morning after I drove Sonny to school I found this note from her on my desk next to my computer:
"Dad & Mom,
I'm so happy to be with you. There is no other host family in the whole world who would give me this support and love.
With all my love -
Sonny"
She's living a happy, well adjusted life, and she's getting the kind of "teenage years" she deserves to have.
Fina's obsession with Sonny and sniffing children's panties was just that - an "obsession." Fina is a young man afflicted with a severe personality disorder. He posted in excess of 100 times about sniffing children's underwear, and if you watched his post count he was hitting pretty much 100 posts a day under his aliases - that's one first class obsessed nut. Oddly, while he attributed this interest to me - I've never posted anything that was indicative of a sexual interest in children. Fina couldn't stop talking about it. He couldn't stop because his disorder pretty much controls him.
I thought it was a little odd and desperate that he had to post quotes about impartial erections and premature ejaculation as though they would embarass me. A year ago I finished writing the business plan for a national chain of impotency clinics. I spent about 6 months researching the topic of sexual dysfunction, and I make much of my career out of my medical research knowledge, PR, and marketing. If someone posts a technical question about sexual dysfunction - I'll happily try to answer it if it falls within my knowledge base.
The Mods and many others on this board were aware of Fina's psychological troubles for sometime. It was obvious he wasn't just a jerk (most people with personality disorders are labeled "jerks"). The disorder that he brought to the boards in recent days is indicative of someone with his type of condition. He's unable to see clearly how his actions affect others, the board, or the image of how he presents himself - and he is unable to stop. In time he will move on to a new obsession, but for now I far prefer he focus his energies on me. I'm an adult. I can easily deal with his attentions. There are others here and elsewhere who would be more vulnerable... and I think the Mods also appreciate the mature attitude you have all shown throughout this experience.