One Christmas on the anniversary of living with someone for five years, he gathered all his kids and mine around on Christmas Eve and presented me with a beautiful five year anniversary ring and made the most endearing heartfelt declaration of his feelings for me and how much he wanted me to marry him and spend the rest of our lives together!

That had to be one of the most surprising and touching moments I have ever had for he had done this with the blessing of all our children and had made it such a wonderful evening for all of us as a family......

Of course there was no happy ending....he was a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for 8 years and within the next 2 years started drinking again. His choice... to continue drinking and my choice... to end the relationship. No regrets...just lessons learned.