I met Karen in Roanoke, Va. I grew up in Roanoke and had lived there for 24 years. I had many friends and family. My hobbies were Basketball, Hunting, Fishing and Computers. I was a Bartender at a wonderful pub type place called Macado's. I was one of the original employee's at Macado's.

One night I was out with some friends at Macado's when I looked across the bar and there she stood. Sounds cliche, doesn't it? Well it was. She had a beautiful smile. And teeth. I remember her teeth. Beautiful. She was wearing a white button down polo with blue jeans and a black leather jacket. Now being a Bartender there, you would think that I was accustomed to this type thing. After all it was one of the hottest spots in town. I can remember nights of 3-4 deep at the bar. Well, I wasn't accustomed to it. I wanted to buy her a drink. So I had a friend send it over to her. Lemon Drop if I recall. She drank it and I walked over and asked her how she liked it. She replied that it was good. I introduced myself and walked away!

Two nights later, I was working and she came in with some friends. I asked her out and she agreed. We went out every night she was there. Stayed out until 4-5 in the morning and quickly became very much in love. Soon after she went back home to a very foreign place to me. Southaven, Ms. We stayed in constant contact. Email's, phone call's and card's. Every single day. It's funny, the night I met her I went home and told my mother that very night that I had met the girl I was going to marry.

She travelled with her job. She was a Catastrophic Claims Adjustor. Soon after she was home she went to work in San Jose, Ca. We still remained in constant contact. Talked every night on the phone. It was at this time that I told her that I loved her. Roughly one month after we met. I remember she sent me a huge Valentine's package and had it delivered to the bar. It was heaven on earth.

When she got back from San Jose, we had agreed I was going to come to Southaven to visit her for a week. I came down and we had a great time. I met her family and had a wonderful time. One night we went to Silky O'Sullivan's on the famous Beale Street and she asked me to move down here. I was reluctant to give up my family and friends to move 750 miles away but she was the one, so I did. Went back to Roanoke and gave my notice. Soon after, I said my goodbye's, packed up my stuff and my beloved dog Hailey and off we went.

Soon after moving to Southaven her mother told me that she could get me a job with Pilot Catastrophe Services. She was a manager there and had some pull. I asked about training and she told me that I would need none because she "knew" people. So again, off we go.

Ironically, the first place we were sent was to Roanoke, Va. to work Subrogation for Allstate. They told them that I was highly trained and knew what I was doing so they let me go and work with Karen. It did put me in an uncomfortable position but I learned fast. The most uncomfortable I had ever felt with her is when she told me that she used to sleep with the manager of this Pilot office, some retired Army Ranger I beleive. I had to talk to him. Made me a bit uneasy but she said it was just a few one nighters so I assumed that he had no jealousy towards me.

I decided there in Roanoke that this was the person that I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Contacted a jewelry wholesaler and paid $7800 for a sparkly diamond. This was no sweat really as I was making $4000.00 a week. I paid cash for it. I gave her a reason to get dressed up and took her to Ye Old English Inn. It's a very quaint little inn up on top of some Virginia mountains. They raise their own trout and everything. Nice restaurant. It was there that I proposed. I was so nervous. What a commitment. She accepted. We shed quite a few tears and left very happy.

I had a wonderful time working for Pilot. It was very serious work though requiring very long hours. 80 hours a week when on an assignment was not uncommon. We got to travel alot. Mostly by car. Whenever a major catastrophe (hurricane, flood, tornado's) would happen they would call us out. We made a percentage of the claim. So I was taught by Wilma to "add" in a few items to each one to make the final estimate a little higher. After all, who cared? It wasn't really coming out of the insured's pocket. We were contracted by Allstate and in return in a catastrophe area Allstate was reimbursed by NFIP or so I was told. I couldn't do this. I could not add in things that simply weren't damaged.

I think our third outing was in Galveston/Houston, Tx. We rented a house right on the beach. This was much cheaper than renting a hotel room as we would be there for months. Tropical Storm Frances had come through and done some very serious damage to the area. Basically the way we worked this storm is Karen would do the paperwork and I would do the scope. I was out pretty much all during day light hours while she did the paperwork, handled phone calls and set my appointments the next day. I had really picked this up fast. I was even told by Wilma that I had gotten a 100% reinspection. She was very pleased with that.

Va Beach, and TN here

While in Nashville, Karen told me that she thought she was pregnant. Well, this came as quite a shock. We had discussed this and she told me that her and her ex husband had tried repeatedly to have children but were never able. We assumed that possibly she couldn't. After the initial shock, I was elated. I remember around the age of 15 realising that I love children and that I wanted a very large family some day. We waited a few days to be sure. We bought a few tests together. All came back positive. I immediately called my Mother and told her as I was very excited. She wanted to wait to tell her's. So I called and told her. She to was shocked a bit I think but generally she was happy after a few minutes. She had four grandchildren at this point so I don't think it was the big news it was to my Mother.

Once we went to get the ultrasound done at 5 months and the nurse came in and told us for sure it was a girl. I asked how she knew for certain and she pointed out "the 3 points of the labia" and stated that she had the healthiest heart she had ever heard. There was some question regarding her hands and toes though as not all of them were present in the picture. The nurse quickly found them though. I exscused myself, stepped out into the waiting room and cried like a child. I was about to have a healthy baby girl! I didn't realise that there were others out there, including the receptionist. When they asked me what was wrong and I told them nothing, then explained to them, the entire reception part of the office broke out in tears. The receptionist stated that she had never seen a reaction from a father like that.

We wanted to get a vacation in before the birth because we knew we would be busy afterwards. Karen, myself and her family went to Destin, Fl. Had a wonderful time. Although she was 8 months pregnant at the time and I know the heat was tough on her, I tried to make her as comfortable as possible.The main thing we ever got into it about was her intake of Coca- Cola. I always tried to get her to drink fruit juice and water but it was her one vice.

On September 16, 1999, 4 days after my birthday, Karen and I wed. I was so incredibly happy. We did it through a justice of the peace type thing. Noone even knew until we told them. Actually that day due to my responsiblities at the store, I went back to work. Life was on it's way.

On the morning of Sept. 20 around Karen wakes me up and tell's me that she thinks it's time. So we rushed of to the hospital. After running a series of test's and ALOT of waiting it was confirmed. Some time that day we were going to be parent's. Ya know, it's a funny thing. To drive a car you need to take classes, take tests, practice driving and so forth. But to be a parent, there's no qualification's. No classes required. No test's. You don't have to pass anything. Karen was so amazing that day. This was her first child so everyone expected her to struggle with it. She passed with flying color's, although she did have the epidural (which I don't blame her). Shortly after 7pm that night she began delivery. All I could do was try and comfort her. I held her hand. Talked to her. Rubbed ice on her lips to try and soothe her. She was my wife and I was in AWE of her. She didn't want me to look but I had to. The doctor said she was almost here and I snuck a peek. Other than him I was the very first person to be introduced to Kaelyn Gabrielle Horn. She had jet black hair and a full head of it. He asked me if I wanted to cut the cord and I declined. I was filming everything. I was back and forth from my wife and my baby.

About the time Kaelyn came out my Mother showed up. She had just flown in. I don't recall when Karen's family got there but I knew my Mom was here. I could hear her out in the hallway. After a few minutes I brought her in and introduced her to her new Granddaughter. Her hands were shaking so bad she could barely hold her. But she bonded immediately. This was her one and only Grandchild but she made it clear this child was going to have everything. She was and is an extremely caring and loving Grandmother even though she is 750 miles away normally.

After we got to hold her and play ( it's a Dad thing) with her for awhile, the nurse came and took her to wash her. I followed and watched her literally scrub my Daughter. I got very upset that she was being so rough but it was explained to me that this is completely normal. She then brought her in our room after Karen had rested for a little while and let her stay with us. I got to change her first diaper! I was already good at it as I had practiced many times on doll's (hehe, it's true!) and had also practiced wrapping her in her towel's to keep her warm. I was really good at a snug wrap!

I remember driving home and kept thinking that I wanted a M1A1 Abhrams tank to drive her home in. It was amazing how much my life had changed at this point. I was a father. Me. A father! She was healthy. She was amazing! I also got to give the first bath which we filmed. I would fill up her little 2-3 gallon tub with warm water, carry it to her on the bed, dab the cloth in the water, wipe a tiny section of Kaelyn and go empty the whole thing and fill it back up. The excitement was overwhelming. That night she fell asleep on my chest and I just stared at her. I guess like any father you wonder. What will she be? Doctor? Teacher? President? I personally think she will be a Biologist.

Kaelyn grew quickly. In almost no time it was her first birthday which we celebrated at Karen's sister's house. It was funny because her family used to talk about what a Daddy's girl she already was. Karen's mother Wilma actually used to call her "Little Jason".

We had been talking for some time about a new house. Karen really wanted one. So we started the process. I handled almost every aspect. Worked with the realtor's to buy and sell our old one( Karen had previously owned from her last marriage), worked with the contractor's on the new one. Karen experienced almost none of this stress. I handled it all. She showed up to basically pick out the stuff in the house and sign some papers. I made one thing clear. I wanted the kitchen. The rest of the house was hers. Since I love to cook so much and cooked all the meals, I wanted a free hand in the kitched to pick out what I wanted. She agreed. Almost every day during the construction I rode by there on my lunch break to check the progress. Every day after work I met Karen at the old house and we would ride by there with the baby after picking her up from day care.

Finally, the day had come. We got to move in to our new home. A big beautiful custom built home on a corner lot with a great yard. Most importantly, Kaelyn was in walking distance of the #1 rated schools in Mississippi. We could see the elementary, junior high and high school from our bedroom window. I had an office that was unfinished. 4 bedrooms. Life was great.

Not long after our new house was completed, I received a phone call from my sister. She told me that my best friend in Roanoke died. I had very few BEST friends growing up. You know the kind. The very best. I lost one in 1995. This phone call was regarding Stephen. He died in his sleep. I was devastated. I beleive it was the next day I flew to Roanoke. Karen had told me that she was going to clear up some things at work and drive up that weekend with the baby. I was asked to be part of the funeral and I accepted. I recall after he was laid in the ground it was on top of a hill. It was bitter cold that day. I stayed after everyone else had left and talked to Stephen. We had been through so much together. He was in almost every memory until I left for Ms. I will miss him and my other friend Greg immensely.

Karen never came. Although she had promised. She got upset when I got upset and told me that she just couldn't make it. All I wanted was for her to be there and comfort me. I really needed it. It was odd, as late one night, she called as if to check up on me. We spoke for a few minutes and when the call was almost over, I told her I loved and missed her. She simply replied "alright". She wouldn't tell me she loved me. Not thinking much about it but still thinking it was odd I flew back soon after. She met me at the airport with the baby.

Divorce. It's an ugly word. Not two day's after my return she told me this is what she wanted. I was utterly floored. This was a shock. Totally unexpected. When I asked her why she told me that she just wasn't happy. We had a brand new house in a great neighborhood right down the road from her sister's, a fenced in back yard with a dog in it, 2 relatively new car's and a Daughter. I thought I was living the american dream. I had been fooled. This is where it began to unfold.

I stuck around for awhile. I went to my GP because my nerves were shot and he prescribed me Wellbutrin. We had been having some problems and at my recommendation had seen a marriage counselor. But she said it hadn't helped. I tried to set up a meeting with a Baptist minister but she wouldn't go. After all this, my marriage was falling apart. My life was falling apart. But I still had Kaelyn. She would be the focus through this. After finally accepting that it was going to happen I left due to the bickering. I couldn't stand to see the child put through this. Before I left I told her that I would leave on one condition. Joint custody. She agreed. She totally agreed. So I moved a few miles down the road in a 2 bedroom apartment but still in the same school district.

Now keep in mind, I had moved 750 miles from home to be with this woman.I gave up everything. Everything I knew. Everything I loved. It was the ultimate sacrifice. I did it for her. Love is fickle thing. Get's in your stomach and twirl's it all around, make's you do thing's you would normally never do. I would do it again. For her.

My new apartment. 1200 square feet. 2 bedroom's. 2 pool's in the complex plus a lake to fish in and a playground for kid's. But it was still a big adjustment for Kaelyn and I. The biggest was meeting new people and finding other children for her to play with. We would get through this together though. The most important thing to me is for her to know that she had two parent's who loved her very much and that her schedule was not changed.

I usually took her to the daycare around 7am to 730 am. Usually picked her up between 5 and 530 pm. This kept her schedule running the way it should. It was so very important to me that her schedule remain unchanged. This would give her the balance she needed to focus on her daily life.

Every three day's I got my Daughter and every three day's my wife got my Daughter. This worked well for us and we did it from Day 1 of the seperation. Not to long in between and so on. Beside's we were her parent's and it seemed to work for all of us.

Our daily routine consisted of picking her up, deciding what was for dinner, cooking dinner or going to get her a "Happy Meal". After that we would play games (Barbie Uno), read, play her game's on the computer, go for walk's and talk about nature, watch TV, swim (oh how she love's to swim!) and then settle down for bed around 8 to 8:30 after she had her bath. Around bed time we would normally call "Maw Maw" (my mother) and Kaelyn would tell her about her day. One thing I always did was ask her what she did that day at school. She would tell me of the art's and craft's, how they played outside, how Tyler or Nick wasn't her best friend anymore. Also, she knew that I meant business when it came to getting in trouble at school. She would normally greet me at the door and tell me whether she had time out or not. This showed me that my child really respected me and my opinion of her. Sometime's she would give me a flower that she picked outside while playing.

Then it hit. I lost my job. I had been at Direct Insurance for awhile and a local attorney with a reputable law firm offered me a position. Bigger salary and nice perk's such as box seat's at the Redbird's game's and season ticket's to the Memphis Grizzly's. I took the job. Was there about 3 week's when one Saturday I went in to help move some office furniture and threw out my back. Went back in Monday, could barely walk, and I was told to go see a Chiropracter that my boss knew that would try and help. So I did. She tried and tried but could not releive the pain. I ended up taking a few day's off. On the third day he called and basically let me go. So here I was in the middle of a divorce/custody fight with no job. After holding out for another few day's I finally drove myself to the emergency room where I was told it was likely that I had a ruptured disc.

After a few month's I recovered and started hunting for another job. Went to employment agencies, headhunters..everywhere I could think of. No luck. No interview's even. If it wasn't for my mother's help through this I would have had to give up on my Daughter altogether and move back to Va.