I spent many years in the dating world and had pretty much decided I was meant to be alone. I had made peace with it. I had a great job, wonderful family and friends, my own comfortable little house and my long-time canine companion, Sasha Valentine. I had a great life really. After an evening out with an old friend and his lady love, I knew I wasn't quite ready to give up on love myself though. I went home and logged into an online dating site and there he was. As it turns out, I was just putting in my time until the love of my life was ready for the next chapter in his.

James is everything that was missing from my past relationships. He's protective, funny, and intelligent. He loves all three of his children with every fiber of his being but somehow there's enough left over for me too. He doesn't take himself too seriously, which I need for balance. I don't have to try and interpret his words and actions and I don't have to guard my own. When I am stressed or upset, all I need is his hand on mine and I know that I am safe and loved.

James, when everything else failed, I prayed. I prayed for God to bring a man into my life that I could love who would love me in return. I asked for a good, honest, caring man who would be devoted to me and sharing our lives together. You are the answer to those prayers. I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you are yet to be. I love you even more than you love baseball. And let's don't forget who said "I love you first." ;)

I guess I need to start my story with my kids. My oldest daughter, Jamie, was born in 1995, in Irvine, CA. Her mother and I knew we wanted more kids, but there were a few things in the way that had to be taken care of before we had anymore. Well, the time came for more in 2000 when my second daughter, Elizabeth was born. Apparently the waiting took a toll on us, and we weren't going to do that again. Ten months later, Walter was born. My three kids have been the joy of my life. It was impossible to know the impact they would have on me and how they would change me. Unfortunately, the relationship with their mother and I, had taken a beating due to personal differences. In late 2011, we realized we weren't helping anyone by staying together and decided to divorce. I think that even with the years we struggled in our relationship, I still yearned for that loving relationship we get in a marriage. So when we finally split up, I felt ready to put myself out there and look to find a woman I could love for the rest of my life. Surprisingly it didn't take long. Through a popular website we use to meet other people, I got an early morning message that said..."Good Morning Handsome!" I wish I could say that the rest was history, but it took a little while for our relationship to get started. We spoke a few times on the phone and texted back and forth and even talked about meeting one night, but it didn't happen right away. Things slowed down a bit, and then, as I later found out, Carla said she was a little annoyed and said she was going to give me one more chance to ask her out and make a date. Luckily for me she gave me that chance, because I took it.  I remember one of those phone calls we had before our first date.  We talked for a very long time and I remember telling her all about me, things I don’t think I ever told anyone after only a few phone calls.  Then, it hit me, why am I telling her so much, I barely know her.  It’s been that way ever since.  I don’t need to be guarded around her, I can just be me.  She is the first person I’ve met, other than my family that loves me for being me, no matter how ridiculous that can be at times.  I remember one Sunday morning I was driving back to my apartment and this thought, this moment of clarity hit me like a 2 X 4 to the side of the head…”What good did I do in my life that God saw fit that I deserved such a precious gift as Carla?”  And that’s what you are Carla, you are a precious gift I have received in my life and I promise you these two things…I will never forget it, and I will always treat you as God’s precious gift to me.