Love Notes to Dot

Dot on our honeymoon in Key West, December 1975

Original Photo

AI Motion Magic (using the original photo)

AI Creates Full Body Motion Magic (from original photo)

AI Magic Creates Full Body Images of Dot and Myself and Adds Motion (from original photos)

I wrote these original songs and produced them using AI to tell the story of my lifetime of love for Dot.

Now A.I. is enabling me to add motion to the old still images we have. One day soon I may produce mini movies with my songs as a soundtrack and our voices too! Can't wait. A.I. will only get better and better. What an amazing time we live in. A guy who got a guitar for his 16th birthday and never learned to play it (still have it), now producing music 50+ years later - and soon mini-movies too.

More moving images, mini-movies, original songs and my voice covers will be released periodically in the future. Enjoy.

September of '71

September of 71'

Though Dot and I had seen each other in the halls of Columbia high school as sub-freshmen starting in 1969, neither knew the others name or anything about them. We grew up in different parts of town and had no classes together. But we each caught the other's attention in the 10th grade. Then, by random chance the star's aligned and a friend, Steve Brown, asked if I'd like to go out on a date with Dot on September 5th, 1971, to see the movie Evel Knievel at the Roxy. Finding out Dot was the mystery girl I'd seen at her locker; I quickly jumped at the chance. We went, had a great time together and we had our first kiss in the foyer of her home when we dropped her off. We fell in love quickly and just 20 days later on September 20, 1971, I asked Dot to go steady, and we've been together ever since. This song is the story of that first date and kiss where it all began. This photo was taken at Christmas 1971. It's easy to see why I fell for her then and I'm still falling for her each day we have together now.

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As Beautiful as You

(Dot's 16th Birthday Song)

A few months after Dot and I began dating in September 1971, Dot celebrated her 16th birthday on November 5, 1971. In the love note I wrote her for her birthday, I wrote a poem to express my love to her and how beautiful she was to me (and still is). This song is based on that poem. This is Dot's class photo when she was 16 years old.

As Beautiful as You

(Dot's 16th Birthday Song)

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49 Years

On December 13, 2024, we celebrated 49 years of marriage between two best friends who've been together for over 53 years since September 5, 1971. If given the chance, we'd do it all over again. This song tells the story of our 49th wedding anniversary celebration.

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Love You More...Love You Most

I found these two photos which now hang above our bed a few years back. They reflect our inside joke about which of us has the greater love for the other. She says, "I love you more" and I say, "I love you most." Who loves who more? You decide. Dot's photo is on the left and mine is on the right. This duet is about the love debate story.

Love you more…Love you most

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Love Notes to Dot

Dot and I didn't have classes together (except study hall in 1973), but we managed to pass love notes to each other every chance we got. Dot, my better half, saved all my notes to her along with the little calendars she picked up at the local Hallmark store each year. In these calendars is a treasure trove of important dates and events including what we did when we got to see each other. Unfortunately, her notes to me are lost to the mists of time. But after spending 50+ years together and by reading my notes to her and looking at her little calendars, I can imagine what hers said to me. This is the story of those love notes.

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One More Time

This is a photo of the two of us from our honeymoon in December 1975. We drove to Key West and this was our 1st stop at Daytona Beach at the Sea Dip motel. There are actually two photos taken at the same place at the same time, one of each of us alone. But with the help of a friend, I had them merged into one, just like the two souls that have merged into one over the years. Dot's recent battle with cancer (she's cancer free now :-) taught us both not to take the gift of life that we've been given for granted. So we live life and love each other each day. I'd do it all again if given the chance and this song is my story.

One More Time

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Always Kiss Me Goodnight

Dot and I have had this sign hanging in our bedroom for many years. Not only as a daily reminder to express our love for each other, but also as a celebration of the power of love to help you enjoy the miracles of life. We practice what we preach...each night (and day).

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I Wish I'd Met You Sooner

(So, I Could've Loved You Longer)

Dot and I were both born in Atlanta in 1955. Our parents settled in the Decatur area near where Columbia High School was to be built. But she went to Snap Finger, and I went to Wadsworth Elementary, so our paths never crossed. After entering Columbia High School our paths grew closer but were still far apart (I'm sure there are plenty of people in your high school that you never met or remember) until they finally converged in "September of '71".

This song is about loving someone so much that you wish you'd met them earlier so you could have loved them longer. Hopefully you've experienced (experiencing) that kind of love too.

Note: Since this song is about suspending reality and revising fate, I thought I'd feature the photo you see of the two of us. This photo was created by merging a photo of Dot at the 1970 Jr. Sr. with a photo of yours truly from our 1973 Jr. Sr (I didn't start going to Jr. Sr. until Dot and I went in our Jr. year in 1972). Again, with the help of my talented friend, I conveniently replaced her actual date (who shall remain nameless) with mine. ;-)

I Wish I'd Met You Sooner

(so I could have loved you longer)

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My Miracle

Dot wrote in my 1971 high school annual, a few days after our first date on September 5, 1971, that she felt our growing love for each other was her "miracle"... but after spending a lifetime loving her and being loved by her, I know for a fact she is "My Miracle". So, I produced this song (with Drew Tabor, before A.I.) for her in 2021 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer to express my love for her and to thank her for loving me for a lifetime. She is now cancer-free and I thank god every day for another day with her by my side and in my arms. This is a photo of "my miracle" and I when we were dating in high school.

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Pictures of You

My screensaver is a rotation of pictures of Dot from her 1st baby picture throughout her life up to the present. I've watched these photos rotate for years, so much so that I can close my eyes and see them in my mind anytime I want.

When I see her, I don't just see the beautiful image she is today, but all the images of her throughout her life. Time changes all of us (if we're lucky), but in my mind she (and I) are forever young.

Pictures of You

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My Forever Valentine

Our 1st Valentine's Day was February 14, 1972. I gave Dot a box of candy. Big spender. I didn't have much money back then, just love. Valentine's Day 2025 marks our 53rd Valentine's Day celebration. This year's Valentine's gift was different.

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Close to You

Being close to Dot since the first time we saw each other has been electric for both of us. We've delighted in this feeling for over 50+ years now. We now spend most days together and my morning and evening ritual is to spend time with her in my arms, her body as close to mine as possible, until we both fall asleep. The next morning, we start the day the same way, falling back asleep together or just holding each other, maybe talking, until we have to rise and start the day. Almost heaven.

Close to You

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Greatest Fan of Your Life

Dot and I have spent most of our lives together. I've seen most all the photos and videos of her since the time she was a baby, then throughout our lives together up until today. I had the privilege of spending time with her mother and dad for many years until they passed. I've heard her stories as well as heard stories about her from people who knew her well before I met her and our lives came together. If you have a story about Dot, please share it with me. She is beautiful inside and out, smart and capable, compassionate and caring and my life has been made immeasurably better by her being an integral part of it. I'm the greatest fan of her life.

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Sail Away With me

We discovered sailing when we lived in Hawaii in 1985-90. About a year after we moved to Bryn Mawr, Pa., I received a promotional booklet via mail about the Bitter End on Virgin Gorda in the BVI. I took Dot went to the BEYC resort several times (even though I'd just arranged it all and "surprise, pack your bag we're escaping to the Caribbean for a week" and escaping was it - to the edge of the world) We stayed at the romantic resort for 10 days, day-sailing the North Sound ... then after 2 visits I said, "let's charter a sailboat bareboat and sail the BVI and USVI by ourselves alone. I'll be the captain and you be first mate." I sent in our sailing resume "Members of Waikiki Yacht Club and J26 sailing lessons off Waikiki" and surprise, they said yes? We sailed for 10 glorious days, just the 2 of us on a 36' Jeanneau single hull. of course, full of beautiful, erotic sailing stories in the tropics. We've sailed alone and together with friends and family over the years. Dot is the perfect first (soul)mate (always my superior ;-) and has followed me on a ride of a lifetime all over the world. In spite of everything going on in our lives, I asked Dot to sail away with me again on a 2-week luxury cruise to the Caribbean to celebrate my 70th birthday. I can't wait for my next adventure with her by my side.

Sail Away with Me

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Promise Made...Promise Kept

As you know, our love story began in the 10th grade high school halls in 1971, even before our 1st date on September 5. We fell hard for each other and on September 25, I asked her to go steady. Dot and I both had dated other people before we met. But we were both young and had never been in love before. So, when it happened so fast, we both thought...would it last? Is this what forever feels like?

So, when I gave her a promise ring less than 7 months after our first date, I know she still wondered - would he keep his promise of forever?

Then, on March 31, 1972, I surprised Dot with a promise ring. It was a tiny thing with a tiny diamond, because I couldn't afford much at the time, but it signified the promise I had made to her-my heart belonged to her forever and the love she had risked with me was real and would last forever too.

We wed on December 13, 1975, and this December we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and 54 years (and counting) together this coming September.

When you're young you think you know more than you actually do...we both took a leap, together, into the great unknown and I'm happy to say it worked out for us both.

A promise made...a promise kept.

Even though you now know the end of the story, I'll let the song tell the rest of the story.

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F... You Cancer and the Gene You Rode In On

Like everyone, we live our lives knowing one day it will all come to an end. Yet, we endlessly try to push those thoughts from our minds should they arise.

Everybody wants to go to heaven...just not today.

In 2020, Covid dropped like a bomb from nowhere. Dot and I turned 65 that year. She had been getting an annual mammogram since her mother had contracted breast cancer when she was 77 (lived until almost 90), but they were not scheduling them that year. A few years prior, one of our daughters discovered she had the BRCA 2 gene. (Dot's mom was never tested) Then in February 2021, Dot found a lump in her right breast one night. I remember it well. Too well. We went in for a doctor visit...and all hell broke loose for her. BRCA 2. Stage 2-3b MBC. Chemo. Surgery. More surgery. Radiation. More chemo. Hair loss and re-growth. More surgery. We found some great doctors and nursing care...some not so great. I won't try to tell the whole story here...if you know her and want to know more, I'll let her tell you. It was awful. I was forced to think for the first time in my life and our 50+ years together that I'd lose her before we were supposed to lose each other. I don't know when that will be, but it sure as hell wasn't supposed to be then, or now. We're supposed to grow old together and take care of each other.

Update: Dot is getting close to 5 years into her cancer treatment and cancer free. I thank God every day for that and for all the days we have left together. I try to bring joy to her life each day and make every day as wonderful as I can. I'm not perfect, but I don't want any regrets.

Neither does she.

I know she would do the same for me and in fact she does each day by putting on a brave face and helping make our lives as normal as they can be. She is a warrior. My warrior.

For all of you dealing with cancer or any other chronic disease, our hearts go out to you. If you are the caregiver for someone in that position, our hearts go out to you. If you know someone in either situation, check in with them just to see how they are doing and see if there's anything you can do to help them on their journey. I understand it's tough. What do you say? It's uncomfortable but put yourself in their place. Your discomfort is nothing. Just let them know you care.

And dare I say...

F--- You Cancer. Leave my best friend and the love of my life alone. Me too.

[Click Sound Icon to Hear Audio]

F... You Cancer and the Gene You Rode in On

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I Thank My lucky Stars (guitar)

I Thank My Lucky Stars (guitar)

Dot and I were from 2 different worlds. We lived on opposite sides of Columbia Drive, went to 2 different elementary schools. We had no classes together, but I had noticed her in the halls. Didn't even know her name. But the first week of school she passed me in the hall, and when we saw each other we both said "hi". We both liked what we saw.

Then a friend, Steve Brown, who was dating her sister Debbie at the time, asked if I'd like to go on a blind date with Dot along with, he and Debbie. We went to see the movie, Evel Knievel. I kissed her goodnight just inside her front door in her foyer. We both fell hard. The rest is history, 54 years of it this year starting September 5, 2025. That's why I wrote "Thank My Lucky Stars"

This is the front of a necklace I gave Dot today to commemorate the start of our lives together. It shows a map of the stars that could be seen overhead from her house on the night of our 1st date and kiss on September 5, 1971.

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1st Kiss

I couldn't resist publishing the companion song to the "I Thank My Lucky Stars" song. This necklace depicts the map of the area and streets where Dot lived on Chestnut Hills, and I lived on Barbara Lane in Decatur, Ga. The diamond is centered on Columbia High School which was the nexus of the world that brought us together.

When I took her home, we walked together to her front door slowly. It had been a magical night. It started at Green forest Baptist Church where I was singing in the choir. As we got started, I saw her walk in and almost forgot my lines. She was so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes off her. Steve Brown had picked up Debbie (his date) and Dot and brought them to the church to pick me up. From there we rode to the Roxy movie theatre to watch "Evel Knievel" starring George Hamilton. It was a B movie at best, but my date with Dot was unforgettable.

When I walked her to the front door to say goodnight, we stepped inside her foyer. I looked down into her beautiful big brown eyes. I can get lost in those eyes. She looked up into mine. Even though this was the first time we actually spent some time together, talked for any length, we held hands during the movie and in the back seat of the car going to and from the theatre and then inside her front door. I didn't want the night to end or to let her go. I was in love and so I kissed her tenderly. She kissed me back. Magical.

1st Kiss

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High School Hearts

This is just a fun song about two kids finding each other and forever love in high school. We're both so lucky to have been born in 50's, raised in the 60's and come of age and found love in the 70's before social media invaded our lives. Maybe you'll hear your story in high school hearts too.

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Summer of 75' (Will you be my life?)

Dot and I fell in love with each other fast as evidenced by our love notes to each other just a couple of weeks after our first date. Just 20 days after (September 25, 1971) on our 7th date to see "Bunny O'Hara" (any excuse to get to see her) I asked her to go steady - and she said yes! The following year on March 31, 1972, I gave her a promise ring. I had just turned 17 and she was 16 - who knew what would happen when you're both that young. But on the 4th anniversary of our first date in 1975, I asked her to marry me in a special way - I asked her to be my life - not just my wife. She said YES! and just 3 months later we were wed on December 13, 1975. She's truly been my life and all that I could ask for. I'll let this song tell our story from there.

Summer of 75' (Will you be my life?)

Out of Nowhere, Into Forever

Dot's parents were from the Lithia Springs, Ga area and Opelika, Al. Mine were from the Atlanta and Decatur, Ga. areas. Our parents met on blind dates.

I had no classes with Dot before we met, but I had seen her at her locker a few times and we looked at each other without saying a word. Then she passed me standing against the wall just before football practice and we looked at each other, and both said "hi."

The next thing I knew a mutual friend Steve Brown (he knew Dot because he was dating her sister Debbie) asked me if I wanted to go on a date with Dot on September 5, 1971. A blind date for sure because I didn't know her at all other than chance glances in the hall at school.

Out of nowhere...into forever.

This is a duet sung by our alter AI egos.

Something Sexy About the Lake

Growing up around Atlanta, going to Lake Lanier was part of our lives. After finishing college, Dot and I moved around a bit between 1980 and 1995. We lived in Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Jackson Ms, Kailua, Hi and then Bryn Mawr, Pa before returning to Atlanta.

We lived in Johns Creek before buying our home on Lake Lanier in 2006. It's our sanctuary, our special resort where we can enjoy life and each other each day. Frankly, it's hard to find any place we'd rather be more. Especially because we're together. I hope we live our last days here.

Oh yeah, there is something sexy about the lake Our sanctuary. This story tells a story about how we feel about living on the lake.

Something Sexy About the Lake

Thanks for Loving Me

We both feel lucky for having found each other, but especially me. People ask me all the time "50+ years? Wow.

What's the secret?

It's all in your attitude. For better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Forgive quickly because we're all human. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't dwell on each other's frailties or shortcomings. Focus on the wonder and blessings of being alive and being in love. Be thankful for the short time you have each other in this life and in each other's arms.

I Want More

50+ years. Not nearly long enough. I don't know how much longer we have together in this life - but I do know I want more. Here's the story.

I Want More

You Were My Miracle

After our 1st date, it was a whirlwind with all the joy, excitement and trepidations of new love.

When annuals were handed out, we both ended up writing about 2 full pages in each other's annual. We both ended our notes with "I Love You"

Dot wrote in my annual that she felt that finding me and falling in love was a "miracle." But after spending 50+ years with her, I can tell you unequivocally, she is my miracle.

She Sees Herself in Horses

Dot has always had a soft spot for animals since she was a little girl. I got to meet Tiger, her only dog growing up when we were dating. We've had several dogs and cats over the years and also 3 horses that she and my daughters like to ride and compete with. Dot loves horses and being around them. This is her story.

She Sees Herself in Horses

You Changed the Game

This song is based on the 2 page note Dot wrote to me in September 1971 on my annual between our 1st date and going steady. It's not in her voice (yet) but I think you'll enjoy it. It's about finding love where you didn't expect it and how I was different than she expected.