In the late 80s, I asked a high school acquaintance out on a date. She was 19, I was 23. We had sex that night and moved in together one week later.  Eight months later, I got her pregnant and started cheating on her. She found out and moved in with her mother. The same time I became a cop and started listening to your radio program. You instilled in me character, accountability, and doing the right thing. Without hearing from my child's mother for months, she called and asked me to be part of the birth, which I jumped at. We had a boy that March.

After hours of listening to you, Dr. Laura, I decided to do the right thing and ask my child's mother to marry me. Even though we did not love each other, we did it for our child.

We married and yes, it was tough, but we were committed. Three years later we had another son and with your wisdom, my wife became a stay-at-home mom.

During this time, my bride read "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands” half way and tossed it back at me. I continued to listen to you and heard you say, "Actions first, feelings come later." I put that to use and I finally started to truly love my wife; it took ten years for this. My wife then started to become my girlfriend.

We are now on 22 years of marriage with both our boys at college. Being empty nesters has been a blast, since we are now in a boyfriend /girlfriend mode. We cannot keep our hands off each other and waking up in the morning has taken on a whole new meaning. We did not start off as "soul mates," but we did become them. Four things kept us together: Our commitment to our sons, the same religion (Catholic), laughter with each other, and YOU, Dr. Laura.  I continue to listen to your podcasts while working the streets and at times pass on your wisdom to those who I serve.

I love you for your guidance and leading me to do the right thing. I hope someday to give you a big hug for what you did for me and my family. If not, know that you have touched so many lives such as mine.  God bless you and your family.

Marty