Cliff and I met ten years ago in graduate school at the University of Central Florida. Amidst learning, research, and practicum hours, there was not much time for anything else... but I always loved Cliff's wit and his sense of humor. Okay, so there might have been some flirting, but the timing was not quite right. We both left for internship in 2007 and lost touch for two years. I ended up in Connecticut and he set up shop in Mississippi. Then, Facebook worked its magic and we reconnected. From phone conversations, a spark grew, I let him talk me into a visit and he planned the most romantic weekend, complete with home-cooked dinner, long-stemmed roses, and trying new things. He took me ice-skating, which as I feared, resulted in me falling. He helped me up and then I really fell... in love, I mean... and he continues to catch me every day.

Try, try again! Persistence and determination. These things paid off in grad school, but little did I know that grad school was only a training ground for my persistence and determination. The real test for my grit and will came in the form of the most spectacular woman I have ever known. From the instant I laid eyes on her, to the moment I pulled her tail (halloween costume), to the time I got shot down asking her out, I never gave up. Finally, I had my opportunity post-graduation and I made the most of it.

Ever since then, I have grown so much more together with Ari than I ever imagined I could do on my own. Ari gives me the greatest joy I have ever known and gives me the ability to be the man I want to be.