I met Amy, aka “the glue,” at the office of a murder mystery company in The Valley shortly after I moved to L.A.  Of course I was with Sack, who worked often with that murder mystery company as well.  By the way, I have actually been killed twice in one night… I know, awesome isn’t it!

Not too many months after that meeting, Sack got a job on a cruise ship, I moved out and Amy took over my place at Sack’s apartment.  We talked more and more as the months went on and eventually became really good friends.  Soon it was Sack, Amy and I finding an apartment together in Hollyweird.  We were – and still are – like family.  Many mornings were filled with coffee and laughs.  If there was ever an issue or something to discuss usually Amy would announce, “family meeting! Family meeting!”  We’d gather at the dining room table and hear it out.  Even today, as we are spread out across the world, she seems to be the conduit for conversation.

Amy is married now and has a wonderful daughter.  It was absolutely amazing and truly a great learning experience to watch her raise her daughter in a way that was completely foreign to me.  This included a lot of patience with no spanking – I did grow up in the Midwest ya know – and an emphasis on allowing her daughter to use her imagination – again a lot of patience needed since many parents simply dictate why/how things are used, etc.  Lessons that I know I will use once I get the privilege.

Lately, Amy took on the L.A. school system, is now a local PTA president and was involved with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.  She always seems to have time to give back, have neighbors and friends over… she also throws a mean Chinese New Year party, by the way!  See, like I said, “glue”; she kept our small family together, her own, the community… next, the world.

Again, I find myself surrounded by inspiration.  Amy, thank you for being you!  Thank you for helping me be a better husband and (eventually) a better father.  Lord knows I needed help with my Lovely Lady… all the way from Sweden… (More on her still to come).