The long awaited stream of pics begins

You are looking at perhaps the luckiest guy on earth. Somehow avoiding years of anger, bitterness, resentment, he found the greatest thing on earth, a very kind, sweet, patient, caring, understanding girl who "gets" him.

Make no mistake, I already felt blessed in terms of family and friends. My Father has been my closest friend and advisor for many, many years. Whenever I got in trouble it has always been him I turn to. It is reassuring to know that he is not waiting to criticize me or condemn me for doing things he disagrees with. He lets me know what he thinks but he also lets me go my own way and make my own decisions.

My brothers and sisters (with one nameless exception) are also within my inner circle. I feel quite blessed to be able to hang out with them week after week and enjoy our time together. I could not ask for a better family.

And I have been fortunate in the friends I have made in the last few years, few and far between though the new friends may be.

I can actually probably count them on the fingers of one hand. Eric, Kevin, Michelle (& Sean), Roman (& Amanda)....the players on the softball team...that is about it. I have met other people but very few that have grown to where I call them "friends"...Pete & Robin, I think are in there...and please do not feel insulted if you are not mentioned by name...but the point is I do not make friends easily and it is even more rare for people to be allowed into the "inner circle". One person, of course, who made the inner circle is Emily.