My freshman year in college I spent a lot of my time dating. That is to say I spent a whole lot of money making friends.

I was determined to make my sophomore year a different story. I had been given a great opportunity to travel overseas and I didn’t want anything to ruin that experience. I was so steadfast in my resolve not to even talk to any girls that I kept my nose buried in a book the entire time I was on campus. Except for 5 minutes when she walked through the door.

We had a wonderful little conversation, said “Nice to meet you,” and she was on her way. A little later she came back. Over the next week or so, we continued bumping into one another. Where I was, she was there to. Where she went, I happened to be there too.

I was in a real dilemma. I wanted to get to know her better but I didn’t want to ruin my semester nor hers.

“God, give me a sign. I like this girl. What should I do?”

Then she said, “So, are we going to dinner sometime before you leave?”

Yes. Yes we are.

On August 4, 2001, this girl became my bride.

Nothing and no one on this planet gives me as much joy as this woman.

She is alluring, angelic, beautiful, dazzling, delicate, delightful, divine, elegant, enticing, excellent, exquisite, fair, fascinating, fine, foxy, good-looking, gorgeous, graceful, grand, lovely, magnificent, marvelous, nice, pleasing, pretty, radiant, ravishing, refined, resplendent, shapely, sightly, splendid, statuesque, stunning, sublime, superb, well-formed, and wonderful.

She pushes me and challenges me everyday. No one else makes me feel as strong as she does. No one makes me feel loved the way she does.

She is the most wonderful woman in the world.

Thank you for the last five years. You stood beside me and held me up during the best and worst times. Thak you for putting up with me and my inability to pick up my clothes or my aversion to closing the cabinets. Thank you for your heart and your spirit of love and compassion. Thank you.

Sandy, you complete me.