We met in Manteca, California in 1979.  You had just arrived here.  You told me that your parents had asked you to come out here from Louisville, to check on your grandmother, who resided in Modesto, Ca.   You decided to stay.  Man am I glad you did!   You asked me to marry you.  I was very hesitant.   Not because i didn't already love you, but because of our  age difference.  I forgot to mention--when you told me of why you were here in California,  that reason and many more made me fall  in love with you.  You, Bill are truly a Southern Gentleman.  So while you were on the phone telling your dad of your decision, I was waving my hands at you--wait we needed to talk more about this!  Your birthdate is March 11, 1956 and mine is March 6, 1947.  I was older by almost 10 years.  You said that didn't matter.  Age wasn't the issue, love is.  So we married, November 10, 1979.  I had three daughters at the time of our marriage.   The twins were 14 yrs old an Kara was just 6 months when we met.  You couldn't wait to ask me  if you could be Kara's daddy.  Oh  i almost forgot.  Our honeymoon!  After the ceremony and visiting with friend's and relatives  we headed out very  late that night for Lake Tahoe.  It was getting quite  (can't spell) foggy.  So---we stopped.  In Lodi!   Yes we were stuck in Lodi--so to speak!  I love telling that story.  So now we are in the process of you adopting Kara.  We did on the year to the day that she was born.  You were so excited  you shook the Judge's hand so hard he looked overwhelmed, and said--That is the handshake of a true gentleman!.  Many people over the years said that to you!  This January 3rd, 2014 you wil  be gone 26 years.  This is the saddest day.   I feel so many things thinking of you.  on the special days, your birthday, our anniversary, ifeel happy and sad.  But on each January 3rd it comes back as painful as the day it happened.  The day you were taken from me, from all of us who loved you so much.  In your short lifetime you became a husband, father, and a grandfather--all before the young age of 32.