Anyone who knows me around here is well aware that Karen is the finest and greatest thing to ever happen in my life. Bill phrased it as I often do......She's my best friend, my buddy, my pal, my lover.....She is strong, intelligent, empathic, and everyone who knows her thinks she's great as well. Most of them also wonder what the hell she's doing with me!

I was 36 when I met her and had long since quit thinking of marriage or any long term relationship and yet within 20 minutes I knew I would marry her if she'd have me. James Dickey once wrote about one of his characters meeting his wife and it was almost exactly what it was like for me. I saw somewhere deep in Karen a flame, small but intense and I knew immediately it was that flame I had always wanted to see and never had. When I saw it, I married it. I don't know what that is, but I still see it now, brighter and more intense than ever these 22 years later.

I would wish the same for all of you.

Spaw