MY "SWEET BABY"

After 14 years of marriage I am still so amazed that THIS one is so great! It's no secret that there were unions before this one. Actually I was beginning to feel a bit like Zsa Zsa or Elizabeth Taylor.  It seemed as if no matter how the marriages began they were turning out badly.  I was feeling snake-bit.  Then one fateful day back in 1996, I was on my new computer with Katie sitting on my lap. I said to her "Look at these weird chat rooms on AOL...people name them the strangest things...here is 'Man at Piano Naked'! "  She giggled and said "Let's make one up...we can call it 'Armpits'!"  And so we did.
Within seconds into the room came Pat.  He said he was curious about anyone with such a chat room name.  So it began.  We chatted. We chatted some more...we emailed...we chatted. We would arrange to be on the computer at a certain time at night, usually after I got the kids in bed. This was fine for me but for poor Pat, back in Georgia, it was oh-dark-early!  Our long distance bills soared. We decided to meet in person and I flew to Georgia. Then he flew to San Diego. Back and forth we went. In October the kids and I met him in New Orleans for a cruise so we could all get to know each other.
To say that Ryan was not thrilled with Pat at that time would  be an understatement. As we sat by the motel pool the night before the cruise, Ryan found some uneaten pizza on the 2nd floor outside someone's room and started lobbing it down at Pat. (That's my boy.)  On the deck of the cruise ship during gale force winds Pat asked me to marry him. "When A Man Loves A Woman" was playing on the loudspeaker.  It is now Our Song.
We got married in Sevierville, TN on November 1st. Inside my wedding band Pat engraved the word "ARMPITS"!

The first year was what I would describe as "rocky" .  I was scared and thought about returning to California...even had some boxes packed. I am so glad I didn't !  I have learned over the years that the man I married is one in a million. Honest, funny, sooo smart!  I respect him more than anyone.  I told him last week that this is the happiest I have ever been in my life.  He is the reason.  I love you Sweet Baby.  Happy Valentine's Day!!!