I could write a novel that stretches 10 years - but the first year of meeting his daughter Stephanie changed my entire life. At the time, my mother had recently divorced. She left and abandonded me to fend for myself at age 18. Me and my father's relationship was on the mend.  It was almost as if god sent me to Stephanie.  Stephanie introduced me to her family right away upon meeting and from that point on, Steve took me in with open arms.  Here I was a kid driving a red two seat race car, dating his daughter.

Being the man that Steve was, I think Steven saw through me, for who I truly was.  A packers fan! I joke, however he saw a kid who needed guidance, direction, but who had the best of intentions. God couldn't have put a better man in front of me. He was never afraid to tell me how it was or how to handle situations. Something I desperately needed at the time.

Not only did I fall in love with Stephanie, but I fell in love with Steve and his entire family. Growing with this family and to see the amount of love that this whole family had received from everybody around them, let me know, I needed this in my life. So I asked Stephanie to marry me.

I am a better man today, for having to know Steve. 10 years was not enough, but he has laid the foot work for me to continue. Steve can never be replaced in my heart, as this whole family was a gift from god for me. I just pray he continues to speak to me in the future and allow me to be half the man that he was.