She was sitting cross-legged reading a magazine on a black leather stool; behind her a man was tattooing a tribal star on her neck. At that moment, I knew we would always be together.

Most first dates don’t end up at a tattoo parlor; but the really good ones do, it sure beats the hell out of dinner and a movie.

When my wife Jodee was getting that tattoo on her neck, she was cool as a cucumber. I knew then that if she wanted something bad enough, she was willing to pay the price and do it with a smile on her face the whole time.

All of my life I have been surrounded by strong women, so it’s no surprise that I ended up marrying one.

When I was a boy my mom used to pull me in a red wagon to the grocery store.

I was clueless to the fact that we were poor because she never let on.

She would sing to me the whole time; she has a way of making ordinary things seem like an adventure.

On our return trips with my red wagon loaded with gold, I would keep watch for robbers or bandits; I would fire my imaginary shotgun at any thief who tried to take our haul.

Those days are long gone but not forgotten; my mom has always done her best to provide for me; I have never seen her do anything half-assed.

She is an all or nothing kind of woman, which makes her a great mom. She always told me if you are going to do something, do it right.

If you are going to be a bum be the best bum you can be.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, unless the orchard’s on a slant.

My grandma DeSpain was the toughest lady I have ever known, not to mention the funniest. That lady never gave a straight answer to anyone in her whole life.

If you asked her what time it was she would likely tell you it was half passed a monkey’s ass and a quarter to his balls; or she might say it’s the same time it was yesterday only 24 hours later.

She gave everyone close to her a nickname, they were not always flattering, but they always summed the person up accuratel: they included names like Keg of Soap, Babbling Brook and Madam Butterfly.

She died when she was 55 years old and worked just about every day of her life.

I never heard her complain about anything.

The women in my life have taught me the meaning of dedication and hard work; they exemplify the definition of selflessness.

I have seen through their daily sacrifices that their love for their families has always been the driving force behind all of their actions.

What I admire most about them is their ability to put a smile on not only their face, but also the faces of those around them day after day.

They have a way of making people feel good to be around them, as they should be.

The women in our life bring out the best in us; they give us the courage to believe that anything is possible.

March is Women’s History Month and in honor of that, I encourage everyone to take the time to tell the women in their lives how much they mean to you.

Take the time to listen to one of your grandma’s stories even if you have heard it a thousand times.

Call your mom just to say hello or if you can, take her out to lunch and tell her about your dreams, moms like to hear that kind of stuff.

Grab your wife or girlfriend and tell her you love her and for at least one day treat her as if it were your last.