It began with a message

In 2011, Fred and I began working together. Over time, we got to know one another, and he would jokingly make comments of his interest in me. Knowing his personality, I would dismiss his advances as him being playful. As time continued on, we began to hang out with one another outside of work as friends. After a few years passed, he requested that I allow him to take me on a date, but not as a friend. He promised that after the date, I would no longer see him as a friend, but as more. Needless to say, I agreed. The date was absolutely amazing. We first had dinner on the Mandalay Canal in Las Colinas, afterwards we boarded our personal gondola. As we floated along the canal, we were serenaded by the gondolier. Continuing down the canal, I noticed a bottle floating alongside the gondola. Inside the bottle was a message, which read ... “Nikki, you deserve so much than what this world has for you! I cannot promise that I will be the one to deliver the joy your heart desires…But I can promise you I will be a diligent soldier, steadfast and loyal. Maybe our destiny is a friendship from now until eternity or maybe we have been placed in this space and time for destiny and faith to commence our bond! Either way, I am happy to have shared time with you! PS. Infatuation is foolish, unreasoning or extravagant passion, but love is a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solitude toward a person." Love Forever and a Day, Morris. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer since beginning our journey together, Fred and I have been blessed to share a life together full of love, laughter and hardship. No matter what the future holds for our family, we will forever place our faith in God knowing that only by His grace and mercy have we made it this far. To God We Give All The Glory