It only took me 69 years to find the right woman for me, especially since I quit looking 27 years ago. We met in a chat room, of all places, that was named Fab Fifties. A lot of folks either in their fifties or have lived through the fifties frequent that room. I used to go there just to talk about the good old days, tell some jokes, and make people laugh. I was not looking to 'hook up' with someone.

One day I asked the group if anyone could give me a definition of LOVE that described the 'feeling' of love, not the dictionary definition. Many tried, but I found nothing that described the feeling of love I had for my daughter, Debra. So I left the room. Pretty soon, I get this IM from Dawn asking if I was serious about wanting that definition. I assured her I was and she offered her definition. Although it wasn't what I was looking for, we started up a conversation. We both made it quite clear we were not looking for anyone in our lives. She was married at the time so we simply became good friends over the next two years, telling jokes, listening to music, and discussing our lives. Sadly, her husband of almost ten years passed away from Alzheimers disease. She had promised him she would never leave him and she kept that promise to the end.

After that, we continued just being good friends and eventually one thing led to another when she told me she wanted to come out to Las Vegas just to meet her friend. She arrived and I had one of the absolute greatest times in my life. We must have laughed all day long and listened to almost all of my 2000 songs on my computer. She only stayed the one day, but it was the beginning of the rest of our lives.

We made plans for her to come and live with me and help me take care of my grandchildren during the day. We specifically agreed to take things slowly. I was sure I would never fall in love again the rest of my life. She arrived on April 4th. On April 5th, (yep, the next day), I asked her what we were waiting for. She said "We're waiting for you to get comfortable with the relationship." I responded "I'm comfortable. Let's go get married."

We just celebrated out first anniversary and I haven't been happier in my life, not counting the days my children were born. She is everything any man would ever want, especially now that I have her trained on how to cook my food...lol.

We talk daily about things we plan to do together the rest of our lives. We seldom have an angry word between us. We have agreed respect is the important key factor in making a relationship last. Today I am in love with this woman that is just as indescribable as my love for my children. Life is good now that I am "rising with the Dawn."