We were casual acquaintances for four years before our daughters, separately, decided to hook us up. His daughter Noelle informed him that she thought he should ask me out. My daughter Farah told me he needed some extra TLC. Dating was tricky for us, though—he had sole custody of his daughter, and I had temporary custody of my two nephews. The first four dates were kids and music, kids and music, kids and music. On our fifth date he made me dinner, and our sixth date was Europe!

Our sixth date was Europe (that’s right—we only had five dates!) most notably Amsterdam and Moers, Germany, where Pat’s band KTU was scheduled to play at a lovely World Music festival. Close to our hotel we found a real working mill and a water wheel, with a stone bridge. We stood together on that bridge while a couple of swans glided by. “Did you know swans mate for life? Do you believe that’s possible for humans?” “Yes, I do.” Swans have been a theme for us ever since that moment.

Pat’s daughter Noelle and son-in-law Andrew are active in the dog fostering community. We would love to reduce the burdens that most foster/rescuers face every day: veterinary care, space, transportation, and financial stability: $7,500 — Emergency veterinary fund $6,000 — Foster facility improvements $3,000 — Food and supplies $2,500 — Spay/neuter and vaccinations $1,000 — Adoption photography and promotion. This fund would help Noelle and Andrew continue to be selfless and amazing!