I LOVE MY SON! I actually love all of my kids. And I love spending time with them, even at this age...the young adult/teen ages...(especially at this age). SO WHEN my 25 year old son says, "Hey dad, do you want to go with me to the Commanders Draft Party?" Even though I'm not into the Commanders to the level that I go to draft parties, he's asking for some time with his pops. I can't deny or discount that. I value that. I look forward to those moments. With that said, the draft is tomorrow (Thursday). We are schedule to have a WINNING HUDDLE WITH HUSBANDS & FATHERS but I'm choosing my son. I hope that won't discourage folks to attend future huddles. I plan to resume NEXT Thursday at 7:30pm (note the time change). Hey, if you want, you can join us at the draft. In the meantime, always remember and never forgt... FAMILY REALLY MATTERS!

Quote for the Week (2/16 - 2/20) "Cupid let's us Lust Just For the day and leaves us" So, I didn't want to hate on anyone's Valentine's Day plans, but I really don't like what Valentine's Day has become. On the surface, it's a day of expressing love and adoration for that special someone. But it's extreme and pronounced if that love is not consistently expressed throughout the rest of the month, season, year. So we make a HUGE fuss over one day...but it's just a lustful day. I don't mean lust exclusively in a sexual way. Lust, in the essence of it's definition is self consuming. That is not limited to be sexual. It's a simple principle, "Love Gives, Lust Gets". People spend $200, $300 or more on Valentine's Day but there is very little emotional and spiritual investment in that relationship for the entire year. They spend that money to GET a nice evening...but what is the quality of the lifetime of the union? Like I said, I didn't want to send this on Saturday and piss on everyone's Valentine's plans. However, I am here to challenge us AFTER the money has been spent, the romance has been had, the love has been made...what's next? When's the next date? What do you do to make sure that Valentine's Day is not a once a year expression of affection in our marriages? For the record, yes, Susan and I did celebrate our love on February 14th. We got a nice meal, headed back to the bedroom and chilled. We didn't need to spend a lot of money on a day because we've been investing on a marriage for over 2 and 1/2 decades. Please share your thoughts. Am I being a little extreme in my position or no? What are your thoughts on Valentine's Day and life after it comes and goes?

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: "People say they 'just grew apart'. They didn't. They took too many mini steps away from each other along the way. Are they willing to take many mini steps to come back together?" What is winning? It's a great feeling. It's the feeling of victory. It's celebration. It's believing in obtaining a win and then actually obtaining it. It's a confidence with teammates. It's a trust with teammates. It's knowing your teammates have your back. It's a belief that your team can beat anybody, anytime...even if you lose, you believe you can win because you are all in sync. Sometimes marriages don't win because of team chemistry. Both players demands the ball. But no one wants to dish an assist...Or give a block...Or set a pick. Sometimes Parent/Kid relationships don't win because the coach and the star player aren't on the same page. The coach has been coaching for years but won't change his play to adjust to the star players skillset. The star play is too cocky to respect the authority of the coach, especially when he/she feels disrespected. The crazy part...for many marriages, at one point you seemed close. You seemed you could share anything. You seemed like a true unit. Did something happen? Do you remember when your child was cute and adorable and innocent and couldn't talk back and didn't question everything you said? Now you can't have a conversation without an attitude? What happened? If anyone can resonate, I'm really asking. Meaning, I'd love to hear from YOU! I mean, I have a response, but I want to hear from the community. Based on the quote of the day, and your own personal observations and experiences, what do you think creates the distance with the people that matter to us the most? And how do WE get back to making our families a team? Thoughts?

So my wife surprised me with a trip out of the continent. It has been an incredible gift! Possibly the most incredible gift I've ever received from her EVER! And she's blessed me with wonderful gifts before. Although I got to tell you, there was a time when I never thought she would do anything like this. There were times where we are existing. There were times were like Pharcyde..."passing each other by" (who remembers that joint?). There were times when I didn't even think we'd be married now. But today we are thriving. I look forward to sharing our marriage secret ingredients in the coming days, weeks, months, years we spend together (because a significant amount of people now a days says there marriage is "missing something"...we'll address that. we will work on that, I promise). In the meantime, I just wanted to send this message for two reasons: 1. To let you know I will be returning by the end of the week to truly engage in this community. 2. I encourage you to get interactively engaged in the community chat. What you put in it, you will definitely get out. So do me a favor and answer the following questions: >Who are you? Where are you from? What the best gift you ever received from ANY relative and what made that gift so great? >If you feel like you marriage is thriving, what are some of your ingredients that you wouldn't mind sharing? (I don't have to have all the answers; Lord knows I don't) I mean, from what I hear, most of you all are snowed in. So what else you got going on? Please feel free to share this community with other people you know that need to WIN in marriage and family. It will be free from a limited time only! Stay warm!