It all started in the late '50's, as we both entered the harsh, cruel world, separated by thousands of miles. Debbie was born in Cardiff, Wales in the UK. As a small little Welsh girl, she traveled on the last voyage ever made by the luxury liner, The Queen Mary, to the United States. Of all places, she ended up in Wyoming! What a culture shock that must have been to her! She quickly lost her accent so she could better fit in with her little redneck school friends. She eventually came to the northwest and grew up in Tacoma. Here she finished her schooling, got married, had two sons, started her career at the Port of Tacoma where she stills works as the Director of IT Technical Services. I was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, home of the first test blast of the atomic bomb. Wow, what a legacy my hometown lives with. I moved around a lot when I was a kid living in places like Albuquerque, Seattle, Silver City, Los Alamitos, and Memphis where I graduated from high school. I went back to Southern California and lived there through the '80's working in the foodservice industry as a sales rep. I finally made it back to the beautiful Seattle area in 1990 and loved it. I changed careers and now work with King County Metro Transit as a full-time bus driver, yeah that's right, and it is a much less stressful job! Deb had divorced by then and we met at a Halloween party in 1991, went on our first real date March 6, 1992, and were married exactly a year later! And here we are!!!!!!
Ryan Luther Richards, the elder, is Debbie's oldest son. As you can see, he is quite the dapper young man! Started this life on June 21st, 1981 as a 10-pound monster! He is somewhat like I am, I think, as he is an older soul like me. Ryan is very intelligent and has a flair of the artist in him and draws very well. He hated school and couldn't wait to get out. I hated school also and enjoyed a party rather than study. Ryan kind of cruises through life and takes things as they happen, again like me. There seems to be more of a drive and ambition lurking beneath the skin and I think we will see that emerge soon. Until then, he is enjoying the whimsy of youth and being independent, while learning the responsibilities of life and I don't blame him. I enjoyed it immensely myself, well into my thirties. These days, he realizes the importance of family and shows it. He has two kids of his own, his cats! He is a good "Daddy" to them and will surely be to real kids of his own whenever he has them.
Alexander William Richards, the younger son, hit the ground running February 17th, 1985 and has never stopped since! He is still here in the house, but will soon graduate and probably head for college. The guy is very determined, driven, ambitious, stubborn, athletic, can't stand not having a full plate. Gee I wonder who that sounds like.....possibly his MOM!!!! He makes me tired just watching him juggle his many endeavors. Quite a handful, he is! Like most teenagers, he is also very sloppy, and his room looks like a pig pen most times....sigh! There is an aura of maturity beyond his years, and he does very well rubbing elbows with adults, and is well liked by all who meet him. Maybe he'll become rich and famous and can hire a maid....he'll never have to clean his room then!!