Oh my gawd. I wake up and see all these suggestions. Thanks everyone
I think a general consensus is I need to see
Puella Magi Madoka Magica. I hope I don't set my expectations too high now..
I've always thought of
Cross Game, I almost put it in my post, I just was a little underwhelmed with
Touch!. I liked it, but I remember while it started off great for like the first 20 - 30 episodes, the rival character(s?) [I don't remember it that well] annoyed me..
I'll have a more detailed response later, but for now I'm running out the door. Thanks again for all the suggestions, you all rock!!!