A Blog Begins: Vulnerability, Sunshine & Starting Over

What is a blog, and why the hell am I writing one now — almost 45 years into this orbit?

Simple answer? Why the hell not?

Don’t be surprised if you find a halfway-decent storyteller with the grammar of a pirate and the flair of a road-trip philosopher. I won’t pretend to be polished. I'm dropping the hammer, driving fast, and taking chances. What I do know — after over two decades in the Navy — is that success doesn’t come from perfection. It stems from practice, repetition, and the determination to learn from failures.

So here it is. If you’re one of the brave few diving into this blog, I hope you find something that entertains, connects, inspires, or maybe just makes you curious enough to check out my debut novel, Crashing Into You. Perhaps you'll glimpse the inner workings of a mind that’s weathered its share of storms — and learned to turn them into stories.

Truthfully? I don’t know how deep this journey will go. I’m sifting through moments, memories, and more than a few truths that don’t fit neatly into boxes. This blog may evolve into a mix of therapy, reflection, and wild entertainment — sometimes at my expense. Sometimes at the expense of my family, or the bold souls who’ve been part of this chaos long enough to earn a cameo.

Here’s the bottom line: These stories are my own. They're colored by my perspective, shaped by experience, and written without filters. They don’t represent the views of the United States Navy, the Department of Defense, or anyone other than me.

That’s the legal disclaimer. Now let’s get personal.

💛 To Chrissy — My Sunshine in the Storm

When I told my wife, Chrissy, that I was starting a blog, I braced myself. After discussing with my sister and exploring what the next chapter might look like, it felt necessary. I joked that she might learn a few things about me I hadn't shared before.

Her response — in her loving but direct way — wasn’t about what I’d write. It was about the fact that I don’t often show vulnerability. I rarely pull back the curtain, even with her. And she was right.

Years of service harden you, shaping how you process emotions and share them. However, I recall a time when I was entirely in tune with my feelings. Back then, I wore my heart on my sleeve. I lost that somewhere along the way — and now I want to reclaim it not just for myself… but for her.

Because Chrissy has all of me — every bit, every battle, every quiet truth- she is my confidant, my partner, my North Star. And though I’ll share our love story in time, this moment matters: for the past two years, I’ve been stationed in Sicily, Italy, while Chrissy held down the fort in San Diego, California.

We’ve missed holidays, birthdays, life’s little moments — and perhaps most painfully, the simple comfort of a hug after a rough day. Yet through it all, she’s remained strong, supportive, and resilient — like so many military spouses who quietly carry more than we’ll ever know.

I never want to be separated from her again. That’s one reason I chose to retire. But more than that, it’s because I believe God has a plan, and that our reunion will be even sweeter because of the struggles we've faced.

🔗 The Why That Matters

Family, November 24, 2022

This journey — from writing and vulnerability to the leap into civilian life — wouldn’t be possible without Chrissy, my rock and my light, or the unwavering support of my parents, sister, brother, son and daughter-in-law, and a long list of friends who’ve loved me loudly and believed in me consistently. Their faith in me has given me the courage to pursue this dream, to craft stories that carry weight, and to finally release what I’ve carried inside for far too long.

So, grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. And join me as I walk the trail of memories from a retiring Navy Chief Warrant Officer to aspiring author.

My debut novel, Crashing Into You, is just around the corner. And like this blog — it’s built on grit, hope, heartbreak, and connection.

Let’s start this journey together.