Most people know me from my twenty years in Sonoma. My life there was consumed with work and raising my children. By early 2004, I was an empty nester. My children were independent and doing well. So it was my turn. Every few months, I would escape work for a weekend to visit my college daughter in Santa Barbara. On these weekends, I would go out dancing with her and her college friends.

On one such dance night, I met a man who changed my life. That was on January 21, 2005. We had a whirlwind, long distance relationship that lead to my move to Santa Barbara in July of 2005. We have been living happily together since.

His name is Eric. He is a licensed Architect and Plan Check Engineer for Santa Barbara County. Eric enjoys life. Most days, he rides his bike to work and back, approximately 7 miles each way. Other times, he grabs his basketball and seeks out a pick up game. Mostly, he keeps me happy. 

Eric is a true devoted partner who supports and encourages everything I do. This is a two-way street. He encourages me to live life and pursue my interests. This is how I was able to give myself permission to step back from work as I knew it, and attend school. I also have actually developed a hobby. My new hobby is to take beach walks on the beaches of Santa Barbara, collecting beach glass.

Eric and I were married on January 21, 2010, five years from the day we met.