James (aka) Russ and I met at the early age of 8 and 9, attending Bragaw Avenue School in Newark, NJ. Russ was a shy kid who did not talk but had an interesting way of getting my attention. Russ would climb on top of the garage roof behind my house and throw rocks every so often. Russ would walk around the corner and stand at the gate as we got older but never spoke. He said that it was too many girls on the porch for him. He would see me taking the 'shortcut' home and would drive up behind me, then turn off his car to let it coast alongside me because he tore off his muffler. At some point, he swears that I gave him an ultimatum to either choose my best friend or me. Ugh... the Capricorn in him!!! (LMAO) Fast forward to about 44 years later, after casual messages via social media, Russ finally got a chance to make a move! On a Friday afternoon, I ran downstairs to get something from my car, and who do I see walking into the office building where I worked, Russ and his dad. Excited to see him, I gave him a big hug, and he asked for my number. SMH... about a week later, he called, and we went out on our first date. With my dad on the phone, we went to the movies. (I mean, Russ is a Giants fan, and I am a Cowboys fan! Can he be trusted????) 90-days later (Steve Harvey's rule, not mine) of hanging out in the car in front of my house, we decided to explore a more meaningful relationship. Through supporting each other in some celebratory and challenging times, it became evident that we were each other (person). Whew!! The past 7-years have been an adventure, and I would do it all over again if I had a chance.