So, did you drop your newspaper last Saturday morning when you read that our own Howie Day, a Bangor-born singer who had a hit single with “Collide” in 2005, is dating pop star Britney Spears? Scandalous!

OK, it wasn’t big news. But interesting gossip for sure. I remember Howie from his Sea Dog days – I think about nine years ago I once paid $5 for a sample CD before he hit it big – so I’m picturing paparazzi staking out our local watering holes, People magazine exposes about Howie’s childhood, and an explosion of Howie memorabilia on eBay. Heck, I ought to hock my cheapie CD sampler!

Can you imagine Britney club-hopping in Bangor? She’ll find the scene at Barnaby’s, Gemini and Fusion a lot different from Hollywood, I bet.

Who knows how much of the story that broke last week is true, but apparently the couple met at Promises, a rehabilitation center in California.

Britney’s issues have been well-documented lately so there’s no need to rehash the divorce, the head-shaving incident, and her evenings cavorting around town occasionally sans underwear. OK, so I rehashed a little.

Howie’s had some troubles, too, however, including incidents on a plane and another with a girl on a tour bus.

So we fast-forward to Promises, where Britney and Howie (or somebody who looked like him) were photographed together while playing tennis. Historically, not much good has happened on tennis courts. Remember from history class the Tennis Court Oath in 1789, before the French Revolution? Things didn’t work out so well for Marie Antoinette in the end.

My own first inclination was to think, OK, Howie, put down the racquet and step away from the Britney. You both have issues that landed you in rehab – maybe it’s best for both of you to work them out on your own.

But a few days later, I’ve rethought my position. What if, maybe, this is good for the two of them? Can a stint in Promises include a promise of love?

I’ve never been in rehab before, but support from family and friends must be crucial once you are out of the center. Howie and Britney can support each other – having been through the same program they’ll each certainly understand what the other is going through. Perhaps their risk of falling back into old habits will be smaller if they’re around each other all the time. They’ll each have somebody to hold the other accountable if one does go back to their former ways.

What I like the most about the relationship is that both Britney and Howie have some life experience, both highs and lows, under their belts. Britney’s been through a few major relationships, has two children, and knows the peaks and valleys of life as a huge celebrity. Howie’s had his troubles with the law and while he doesn’t have any children he’s also had some ups and downs in his career. It took him a while to work up to “Collide” and some of his other music, which has been used on TV soundtracks, but we haven’t heard from him in a while. Maybe their time at Promises will provide some perspective, and help them start to climb back into their careers.

So, Howie, bring Britney up to Maine for a visit. Take her to the Sea Dog, where you got your start. Take her to Barnaby’s for a little nightlife. Tell her how well-behaved we are around our local celebrities, like when we see Stephen King in a convenience store and leave him alone. And we don’t exactly have paparazzi here – they’d probably drive the Interstate as far as Waterville before turning around.

For a few days I was sold on my support of this potential new celebrity couple. Then I did a little Googling a few days later and found a red flag. Before the Howie rumors started, Britney was said to be connected to another singer she also met in rehab. If the gossip is true, clearly this girl isn’t ready for Howie or anyone else.

That’s not just scandalous. It’s sad.