So now that you know a little but about how we came together as a couple, here is a little bit about us as individuals.

Lee
I guess if there’s one description that best suits me, it’s that I am a cat person. Well, an animal person. I love all animals…..oh, and music. I’m an animal loving musi-holic. That’s me.

I think my love and appreciation for not just animals but also nature in general stems from growing up in rural Alabama. Having been born and raised in Henry County, just outside of Dothan, playing outside meant playing on fields of land, in creeks and through bushes, always exploring, discovering and appreciating the vastness of my multi-acre playground. Looking back on those days now, and seeing it from the perspective of someone who lives in suburban Tampa, I realize that I could have and should have appreciated it so much more. I feel so fortunate to have been blessed with a childhood that was as free and wide open as the property on which my parents’ house sat.

I’ve always been a fan of music, but I’m the first to admit that my taste in music has slid over time from one genre to another. My musical foundation is, not surprisingly, in country music. Artists like Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker and the Oakridge Boys make up the framework of my memories as a child with regards to exposure to music. As I grew older, my tastes grew to include alternative, grunge and even flavors of hip hop and R&B. Still, I’ve always had Country in my heart which clearly explains why I am such a big fan now of the singer/songwriter artists of today.

For me, nothing beats the feeling and emotions that comes with watching live music. From the Marty Robbins concert to which my parents took me at the age of four to the handful of Sister Hazel shows I’m so fortunate to catch every year, my favorite past time is going to a concert. And thankfully, it’s something for which Gil and I share a passion; and excitingly, we get to share this passion with you at our party. Can’t wait to see you there.

Gil
I’m a geek. Be it sports, technology and most recently music, geek is really the most appropriate word to describe me. I used to be a nerd, but I finally developed an acceptable level of fashion sense and stopped watching Star trek spinoffs.

In addition to my daily fix of ESPN Radio and hours of streaming music via Pandora or last.fm (see geek information above), I love to write. I feel blessed God gave me the gift of being able to take thoughts, concepts and ideas and somehow put them down on paper intelligently and, on rare occasion, eloquently. If there’s one complaint I have about writing it’s that I don’t make nearly enough time to write on a regular basis. That and the fact that by default any greeting card Lee and I send becomes my responsibility to complete. My dream is to one day make writing my ‘day job’, but until then, I get by with an occasional blog, poem or short story. You can see some of my stuff on my website.

However, if there’s one thing I feel that truly defines me, it’s my desire to be the best dad I can possibly be. I have two wonderful and beautiful children and it’s my desire to always be there for them, provide for them and do right by them that drives me in everything that I do. As Lee and I come together as a new family, I am thrilled and excited about being able to bring together the two loves of my life; Lee and my kids. Lee is a complete Godsend. She saved my life, she changed my life, she is my life. I say that, however, knowing my entire existence on this planet is defined by my ability to be a great dad to my kids. They are my universe. It’s them and then everything and everyone else.