LOVE THIS STORY SO TIME TO TELL IT AGAIN

Twenty Four Years today I was okay where I was. Trying to trust God in all things. Trying to be content then and now. I had a job in the Harper cafeteria. I was taking care of my Grandmother, who lived down the road from me. I was also working on my very first comic book.

The comic was called ‘The Improbable Barnsy and A Pocket Full of Teeth’. Barnsy, as many of you know is a pelican and is based on me. The main result of the story is Barnsy gets a girlfriend.

I started working on the comic in late 2000 and by June 2001, the girlfriend did not have a face or a name. In reality I was not dating anyone. I sucked at dating.

I was regulated to friend a lot and thought to be well odd. Had my friends, my family and a purpose so I was grand.

How was I able to draw a character without a face? Barnsy’s girlfriend was a puddle, a water sprite. For most of the story we see her as a puddle of water with her face shown in the last page. The page I had not drawn yet and the rest of the book had a blank for the name. Thankful for proof reading.

May of 2001, an old college friend called me up telling me about a friend of hers who she felt would be perfect for me. I was a little unsure on this. Took a lot of prayer and some insight from my Grandma to actually call this woman up, who my friend was talking so highly about. Funny thing was that she couldn’t remember what her friend looked like. Worried if Kelly was real.

The friend’s friend knew what I looked like cause my face was on a cartoonist website. Anyway, I started talking to Kelly Susan Schweig in June of 2001. We spent hours talking pretty much everyday. Kelly was quite easy to talk to.

Kelly has a really easy way about her. She genuinely listens making you feel special like you are the most important person in the world. She is no fake.

Finally I asked Kelly out on July 3rd 2001. Which would be technically my first; my last and a very successfully blind date. Perfect record.

We met at a lovely Greek restaurant, Forsey’s cafe for dinner and then went to the carnival in Palatine. I walked to Forey’s from Grandma’s place. Kelly was kind enough to drive us the carnival. Talked for hours and i kissed her.

Kelly got to the restaurant early seeing me pacing back and fourth. I was super nervous. I looked like I wanted to either run or throw up according to my future wife.

I finally walked into Forsay's and sat down waiting for Kelly. Then she walked in with her bright red hair pulled back dressed comfortably but very flattering clothes. Aersome expression.

It was a very nice dinner in spite of me dropping my broccoli off my fork three times. Kelly finally suggested that I just eat with my hands. I took Grandma's advice, I order fish. The broccoli was water logged.

I trip over my words a lot when I am nervous. Also pretty clumsy. Mom suggested I calm down and remember to breathe. Grandma suggested that I do not order anything that requires red sauce since I do have the old nick name of 'Smudge'. Do like spaghetti at times.

Forsey’s is a bank now by the way and may still have a groove in the sidewalk where I paced. I’m still devoted to Kelly. Found what I didn’t know I needed. We started off as friends but quickly become much deeper. No regrets.

Barnsy’s still has his one and only, Pudnelopy.

We have had a good life together so far. Got engaged September 7th, 2001 and married September 6th 2003. Became parents to Katy on November 30th 2005.

We have had bumps in the road but the good outweighs the bad. Kelly has always been there for me to help me see clearly. Hopefully I have done the same for her. Work in progress.

She brought me back to my faith; she is my reasoning; she encourages me and most of all loves me unconditionally.

My wife, my best friend, a wonderful mom to our daughter and the voice in my head that keeps me from being stupid.Kelly has encouraged me to start my own mini comic series. She does appreciate my talents to whip up a card for birthdays and holidays. We have saved a lot of cash on that front.

Kelly has actually been helpful in my creating some of my characters. Alister Mcbunny; Grumpy Guppy; Fredrick Frankenstein and the name of Barnsy’s Universe. Imagination Fantastique. I am Barnsy to Kelly's Pudnelopy. And yes, they have have a daughter named, Puddles. Puddles is based on our daughter, Katy.

We have argued together; we have laughed and cried together. Through it all we are us. Never surrender

Kelly, I love you forever and beyond.