While I'd like to pretend I'm the average girl next door, I am self aware enough to know better. I'm a little different...cut from a different cloth. It took a long time to appreciate that, but I think that's a gift you don't get until your 30's. I was never a conventional child. I performed one woman shows in the 4th grade talent show. When my mother and grandmother begged me to be in choir in junior high, I chose to play drums. I was a band geek and speech kid who went to Denny's on Saturday nights, a member of the political action club in high school, and didn't go on a date until I was a senior.

I give credit for my moxy to my upbringing. Mammy used to say our family was so good at one liners because there were so many of us, if you wanted to be heard, you had to be quick to get a word in...and it better be worth listening to. My mother and father were the life of every party. They had friends from every walk of life. My grandmothers were most amazing mothers and care givers. They taught me that food is love and that the most important thing is to make people feel special. I try to carry all of this with me every day, not only to keep their memories alive, but to remind me of where I come from.

When I was in the 6th grade, I went to the State Fair and had my fortuned told by a palm reader. She told me that I would be married twice - once for a very short time, and the second time would be for life. As inappropriate as that probably is for a 12 year old to hear, and as corny as the message, it stayed with me for years. I don't know if that was truly my destiny, or if I created my path based on that message. Regardless, it seems to be pretty accurate.

I am your typcal nerdy engineer...wait, no I am not.  Dang, I hope I am not.  Well, anyway, as you can see, I am tall, dark and handsome at least.  I think one of the most important things in life, is to laugh and enjoy every waking moment.  One thing I have learned over the last year is that life can change in an instant, and that you should live in the moment and enjoy what you have to its fullest.  That is why we like to try various different activities, wither it be a short road trip, a vacation, a sporting event, a play, a concert, a new restaurant, an art show....I believe variety is the spice of life.