God has blessed me mightily. I thank Him for Him and everything He's given me, including (but certainly not limited to!):

Family. My parents are saints, my brother's a trip, and my cousins are just plain cool.

Lanelle. My dear, sweet lady. Nothing I can say can possibly express the swell of affection I have for you whenever I think of your smile, your kiss, or your embrace. Your voice soothes when it sings lullabies, and shines when you laugh. I love you, sweetheart!

Friends! Many, many friends! My love goes out to the Johnson's, for they are my second family. Evan, Katie and Shelby have been so wonderful, and so has Mom. I love you guys! Dave, whom I love as closely as a brother. Oh, the times we've had! Patrick, Billy, Josh, Ashley, Hutch, Mike, Liza, K.C., Jennifer....so many! And I haven't even named the SCA friends! Jenni and Sean, Cormac, Uther and Kenna, James Holy, Ali and Naqidah...the list just goes on! I love you all!

Imagination. Escape from the dull drudgery that is college academia. I can put myself anywhere in the world at any time in History, just by thinking about it!

Talent. My skill with the bow is my favorite that I practice, and I daresay God gave me quite a gift for it. In the SCA, out of more than 300 archers around the entire world, I rank 34th. That's in the top 11 percent! And of all those who use longbows, I am ranked 4th. I love my longbow!

But then, I love so many things. The very idea of love itself, in all its forms. Eros, Philos, but most importantly, Agapos. When the three of them combine, great things happen.

To all my friends, family, my lovely lady, Lanelle, and God...thank you. I love you.