Dear Sir,

It's now been over a year since i had that long drive back to Atlanta. Little did i know it would be a longer way to the point of where i'm at today. I know that it's been a rough road for me and You,

That first trip up took about 10 hours, and the closer i got the more nervous I became, not knowing what to expect. Yesterday, the trip took only 1.5 hours and a feeling of I can't wait to get here was inside of me.

Over the past year, i know it hasn't been real easy in dealing with me. i offer you my sincere "Thank You" for the patience You have shown.

We have traveled the same roads although at times it appeared that we had taken different routes and i will admit that most of the time it didn't seem that i knew where i was going or even why i was going.

A lot of realizations have occurred during the course of the year along with a lot of emotions, frustration, drama, laughter, tears, hugs, and smiles, but most of all, love.

Even with a year that's come and gone, i still have a way to go. i still don't know where all of this journey will lead, but at this point, i am not sure if it's that important that i know.

After Mikey passed on, i ventured down another road that i needed to explore and grow. i learned my spirituality during that time. i now view this past year with You as the same thing, a part of me i needed to explore. Through exploration, one learns about one self and his surrounding.

You know what January 2001 was like for me. Things happened that i don't understand. But it appears that everything that has occurred has happened for a reason.

Things happened during January 2001. The most profound thing that occurred was mentally with me. The relationship with You changed. More over, i believe things changed for me, more than for You. You have always been clear about our relationship. Now i understand.

Right now, i'm sitting in the airport about to fly back to Atlanta. i already have began to think of my next trip up. It's no longer a long drive up to be with You. The sad fact appears that although i want to be at home, I also want to be here with You and my brothers.

February 2000 - Initial contact thru IM and E-mails.

March 2000 - First but not the last visit

April 2000 - i signed my first contract

May 2000 - For the first time in several years, i attend IML as part of a Family.

June 2000 - Again we attend SELF as a Leather Family.

July 2000 - We, as a Leather Family, went to watch the fireworks as the US celebrated the re-opening of the Washington Monument. During this same time, i began to suffer extremely high fevers from unknown causes. i don't remember the night it happened but I know i had a fever of 103 and You took me to the Emergency Room. i didn't understand at that time why You would do that. In my mind, i should have been taking care of You. But as You have shown me, this relationship is a two-way street. Just as i love, respect and care for You, You love, care, and respect me.

August 2000 -- I'm still suffering from the fevers even after a lot of the tests. You are still there, giving me encouragement and love. Caring for me when i was sick.

September 2000 - We attend Olympia together as a Family. You allowed me to experience things that i never thought i would ever do.

October 2000 -- This was a month to celebrate. Not only is it my birthday but Yours as well. You made me very happy when you unwrapped my present to you and read what it said. i saw tears in your eyes and i knew that i had gotten you the most perfect gift. my heart was happy!

Not only did we celebrate birthdays but because of our relationship, i was afforded the chance of meeting someone who was to become my best friend but also become my leather brother. We shared a drive in the mountains, a trip to view the leaves.

November 2000 -- With Your approval, i presented to the public myself, who am very shy, to help raise funds for MAsT.

December 2000 - i was with You just before Christmas. You decided to allow your three boys to go to Fort Lauderdale without You, so we three boys could have some time to bond and have a good time. This would also turn out to be the last time i would be the same boy as i was when i left on December 19.

January 2001 -- Since i had seen You in December, something happened. i have since stopped searching for the reason why "it" happened. i'm content to know "it' happened for me and for You. my outlook on our relationship was changed. It changed without word being exchanged, but thru actions and love. You sat beside me and held my hand in the hospital offering words of encouragement to speed me on my way to recovery. Once again, You were there for me. You allow one of my leather brothers, mike 2, to be there also. Having him there helped me, bit i also think it helped him. The day i was released from the hospital, i asked for your help in washing my back because i simply had run out of energy. You did and never backed away, you were there for me and provided me with love.

February 2001 - the recovery process is a long and very slow road. You still stood strong for me and you never let me give up.