It's a funny thing how life can turn on a dime. Something happened to me that made me smile and now everything I do and see is brighter and clearer.

It began in mid-September 1999, when I was chatting online with a buddy.  She invited me into a chat room with a couple of her buddies, where I was met by 2 other people in the room.  I was immediately bombarded with questions about my qualifications for being a suitable mate for my friend.  It was playful, yet meaningful.  I smiled and laughed and really enjoyed the abuse... LOL !

A few days later, while in a 3 way chat with my friend and her other friend, I began to feel something different that I hadn't expected.  Her friend, a very friendly, playful young lady began to say things that made me think (I think a lot).  At first I was cautious and reserved, but then my interest turned to curiosity.  I began asking her friend questions.
Her personality was easy to see through her words and innuendoes.  I wanted to know more about her.

I was a tad bit disappointed to learn that she was married, but it didn't matter, after all she lived far away, and it was only the internet, so I didn't think anything of it.  Soon, the time I usually spent with my friend dwindled down, and was filled with the time I began spending with my new buddy.  I asked to see some pictures of her, and she cheerfully filled my request. 
When I saw her pictures, I was even more enthused by her.  Not only was she funny, intelligent and interesting, she was beautiful too.  Her raven colored hair, her sweet smile, and sparkling eyes were more than I could take.  I was hooked and I think she knew it from the start.

The time we spent together became longer and more intense.  I found myself going online as soon as I walked in the door from work to see if I had e-mail from my special friend, or maybe she might be online.  I usually had something in my in-box from her, and in most cases she would be online.  You can imagine how my heart would start pounding as I sent the first message of the day to her.  I was excited to hear from her and send her messages with thoughts of "what if" embedded deep within them.  Could it be that I was falling for her?  Even after my original chat buddy was developing feelings for me? 

Well that's exactly what was happening.  But how, why?  It's the internet.  It's supposed to be casual and impersonal.

AND SHE WAS MARRIED!

After several days of long chats, which spawned telephone conversations, I learned a great deal about this sweet young lady.  I learned that her marriage was not a happy one, but one that has changed her and broken her spirit.  That made me sad yet all the more interested, because now I could envision possibilities that I hadn't seen up until now.  Could I be her Husband someday?  A Father to her precious little girl?  My heart flutters at the thought.  I catch myself smiling so often when I ponder the things that we could have together.  A few more days passed with more chats and telephone talks.  Romance was now beginning to come into the picture. 
It seemed we felt so many of the same feelings, and wanted all the same things from life.

Was this the one I had been looking for all my life?  Any way, I looked at it, I knew that she was and I was ready to do anything in the name of love.  I was falling for her and she for me. 
Pet names became a part of our conversations.  Love was spoken of quite often, and believe it or not, we actually saw a future.  A future that was filled with caring, giving, loving and sharing.  So it is here where we found ourselves.  Too close for words to express, yet so far away geographically. 

We both agreed that the distance between our homes was necessary for us, because it would allow us to talk more, and get to know all we could about each other.  What made us happy, made us sad, and most of all who we really are.  I have decided to wait until the end of the world for her, and if need be, die knowing that these two people so deserving of each other, have finally found each other.

After a couple months, Leona and I decided to try getting together.  I made the arrangements to fly from Florida to Wisconsin.  But then I went one step further.  I made it my decision to quit my job and just move there.  Which is exactly what I did.  Just before Christmas, I was in Leona's arms, and everything I saw in her before we met was still there even afterwards.

Now we are together.  I found a great job, and where there was once emptiness for both of us,
is now a life filled with love and adoration between us.  Ours lives are new together, but it seems we've known each other for eternity.

So now how else can it be put?  We are Soulmates, and it would be impossible for us to be apart.  We are making plans to buy a home together and to be married at the earliest time we that we can... and plan to have children.  Our home is filled with so much love.

  Leona, Michael and Sabrina (our Daughter)
have begun our eternity together.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to share in our joy. 

Love Michael and Leona