Laura and I have known each other and have been good friends since nursery school. It all started in a little town (Ohio City, Ohio) and took place in a little country school (Ohio City Liberty) that held classes for Kindergarten thru 12th grade.

It wasn't until our senior year in 1983 that I found myself being asked out by Laura (you see I was really shy and Laura was the first and only girl that I have ever dated). Now just before Laura asked me out, there was something that happened first that brought us together. I kept finding notes in my locker. The notes were short and sweet and were always signed by "Your Secret Admirer". I wasn't sure who was sending these notes, but I sort of had an idea. As I told you before, our school was small and needless to say you could end up in a few classes with your brother(s) or sister(s). So I figured that it was some of my little sister's friends that kept sending me the notes and didn't really think much about it.

Well one day in one of our senior classes, Laura sat down behind me and during class she began to write on my note book. The more she wrote, the more I recognized the writing....it was Laura, she was my secret admirer. Needless to say, I was shocked, but was pleasantly pleased with my admirer. Fortunately for me, I kept Laura's first secret admirer note and you can see it for yourself below.

  

From then on, Laura and I dated the rest of our senior year and throughout college. I went to a Wright State University branch campus in Celina, Ohio where I obtained an associates degree in Electronics.

After a couple of years of dating, lots of redneck roses, pop corn and Saturday nights watching the Love Boat (LOL) we planned our day, a day that we both had been looking forward to for so long. Soon after graduation...and I mean soon, Laura and I were married on June 22, 1985. It was a small wedding and a short reception (you see Laura and I had to pay for the wedding ourselves, so short and sweet was the budget).

  

Country Love Songs seem to say it best when two people are in love and living their lives together as one. So, since I feel this way about my wife Laura, I picked a few songs and their lyrics that I feel expresses my love and devotion for Laura.

1. If There Hadn't Been You - "by Billy Dean"
This song means so much to me and it moves me every time that I hear it. I was coming home from being at some "corporate technical training boot camp" (if you work for EDS you know what I mean by that) and I had just finished my ten weeks of training and this song came on. I listened to the words and about cried the whole way home...This song was Laura and how strong she had been while I was away and all the words of encouragement she had given me that kept me going. Without Laura in my life I would not be where I am today and I wouldn't have the beautiful family that we have.

Laura is my heart that keeps me living,
Laura is my inspiration that motivates me,
Laura is my soul that makes me whole,
and Laura is my life...my beautiful, beautiful wife.

2. I Cross My Heart - "by George Strait"
(I cross me heart, And promise to, Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true. In all the world, You'll never find, A love as true, As mine. You will always be the miracle, That makes my life complete. And as long as there's a breath in me, I'll make yours just as sweet.)

3. Something that we do - "by Clint Black"
(I remember well the day we wed. I can see that picture in my head. I still believe the words we said Forever will ring true. Love is certain, love is kind, Love is yours and love is mine. But it isn't somethin' that we find, It's somethin' that we do)

4. Check Yes or No - "by George Strait"
(Do you Love Me, Do you want to be my friend....Just Check Yes or No)

5. The Keeper of the Stars - "by Tracy Byrd"
(I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars He sure knew what he was doin' When he joined these two hearts)

6. Your Love Amazes Me - "by John Berry"
(You're the only one for me You give me hope, you give me reason, You give me something to believe in Forever faithfully, your love amazes me.)

7. Love of My Life
(You are the love of my life, You are the reason that I'm alive)

8. From here unto eternity

9. Angel in my eyes
(She is my day, she is my night, she is the breath that gives me life)

10. Redneck Roses - "by Tracy Byrd"

11. One Boy, One Girl - "by Collin Raye"
(One boy, One girl, two hearts beating wildly, To put it mildly it was love at first sight)

12. I Love You More Than You Ever Know - "by Travis Tritt"

13. Its Your Love - "by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill"

14. I Still Do - "by Wade Hayes"
(...I thank God above Out of all the people on this earth He gave me you to love...I gave you my heart and swore I'd always Love you and I still do, I still do)

15. I Do - "by Paul Brandt"

Your Secret Admirer...Sam