"Paul and I have a very powerful connection," Todd tells me. "We're like soul brothers. We haven't known each other that long, but I know who he is, and he knows exactly who I am. I think we were probably brothers in a past life. It's very easy being together."

Todd had been feeling uneasy in the relationship with his ex. "She's my best friend in the world, and I'm completely in love with her, but I needed some time to think about this thing, to make sure. We were going to get married, and it was so intense-I don't know, I need time for me right now. I still need to work on myself."

In fact, he used the week between the breakup and his move uptown to go on a voyage of self discovery in the woods of Maine. "I borrowed my cousins' cabin in South Bristol, and I found my heaven on earth-everywhere I looked, it was like seeing 360 degrees of poetry. I've never felt that way in a place before."

He didn't write any poetry, but he was inspired to do some sketching. He also clammed, fished and conquered a couple of fears: "Being alone and being in the dark. In the middle of the night, I'd just walk into the woods, into complete darkness, and sit there by myself. It was very difficult at times, but it was a huge growth experience. The whole trip was an incredible escape into peacefulness and solitude."