The day that Cherriee walked into my life began as normally as any other day. Nothing happened to warn me that this was the day "they" spoke of when they said:

         "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"

That was an understatement.

The best way for me to let you know why my love for Cherriee continues to grow stronger day by day is to simply tell you about her and how she shows me that she loves me...her actions have always spoken as loudly as her words.

There are, of course, Cherriee's obvious attractions which include her unique beauty; her extraordinarily attractive physical attributes and her remarkable intellect. But, above all (and including those qualities), Cherriee is my best friend and I love her madly.

But did I tell you about her extraordinary intellect and her perseverance and determination?

When I met Cherriee, she was in her final year of a Bachelor of Justice & Legal Studies at Southern Cross Uni in NSW. The following year, 2002, she began her Law Degree at QUT on a Part Time basis but, in 2004, we decided that it would be better if she went Full Time. In 2004, Cherriee completed 11 Law subjects, gaining 4 Distinctions, 5 Credits and 2 Passes. She completed her degree in Semester One of 2005 with 3 Distinctions.

Over the next 12 months, Cherriee completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, obtaining 1 High Distinction and 5 Distinctions. 

I had the unique honour of moving Cherriee's admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 10 July 2006.

Cherriee has now completed her Master of Laws Degree and, has obtained 2 High Distinctions, a Distinction and a Credit, for an overall G.P.A. of 6.3 (out of 7). Cherriee's graduated with her LLM on 20 August 2009.

But did I tell you how she is my best friend and always given me her unconditional support?

In the 8 years that we have been together, I have lost count of the number of times that Cherriee has been by my side, both literally and figuratively, to help me stare down those people who try to put me down, and to support me on any new venture. For example, I was able to complete the Bar Practice Course in 2005, only with Cherriee's encouragement and support.

I was able to set up my Practice as a  Barrister in 2006 with Cherriee's encouragement and ongoing support.

Cherriee has taught me, both by her own example, and by her encouragement, that there are no barriers to life, especially age, other than those that are self imposed.

I was raised to believe that I was not worthy of success. I was raised to believe that I only deserved 2nd best. I was raised to believe that I was not as good as others and, without exception, every thing I have ever done and every relationship that I have ever had, including my relationship with Cherriee, has been met with disapproval by my immediate family.

Cherriee has released me from those shackles and, come what may, she has changed my life forever.

See, the funny thing is, I never expected that somebody as beautiful as Cherriee; somebody as intelligent and clever and smart as Cherriee, and somebody as wonderful as Cherriee, would ever want to spend any more than a week or so in my company. So every day since September 2001 has been an absolute BONUS! And you know, my life just keeps getting better and better and better with Cherriee in it.

I am now looking forward to our wedding and our life together beyond.