Thirty years, with and without

Thirty years, with and without

Thirty years ago today, I met Bill Ledbetter at a "party."

Within five minutes, we'd found each other.

After I left, I couldn't stop thinking about him, which was unusual for someone whose motto was always, "In bed by midnight, home by three."

The next day, I called him.

I was thirty-something and had almost no experience asking anyone out.

"Would you want to go to dinner tonight?"

"Sure!"

That single word felt like winning the lottery.

We met at Baja Cantina, a Mexican restaurant near the boat I was living on in Marina del Rey.

There was really no turning back after that.

For the next nine and a half years, we built a life together. It was funny, complicated, messy, joyful, frustrating, and wonderful. Then, in an instant, it was over.

Thirty years later, I'm still grateful I went to that party.

And I'm a better man for having known and loved Bill Ledbetter.