Paul and I have spent the last few days in deep, intense discussion about the state of affairs with our business. These are tough times. Business growing pains, employee issues, decisions to make about what direction to take. Paul is a talker. He needs to blow off steam, vent his frustrations and talk out loud to sort out his thoughts and feelings. I now know this about him. He can repeat the same statement 50 times. And I let him. I listen for the 50th time like he’s telling me for the first time. I realize a lot of what he is telling me of late stems from pent up emotions because I was gone for two weeks and he didn’t have anyone to talk to. He’s very worried about a lot of things. I, (oddly) however, am not. I am serenely at peace with everything. Why? Because I know that even if our life were to go to hell in a hand basket I will always have him.  I remember reading a saying somewhere, I think from Dear Abby, that said “The same fire that melts butter, makes steel strong.” Our stuggles of late have made us stronger. And I have never loved him more.