We've all heard stories and seen movies about how someone comes into a life quite unexpectedly and has such a profound effect that nothing is ever the same. Does it happen in real life? Yeah. I'm living it!

I've been blessed with the dearest friend in all the world! A friend with whom I laugh and cry, share my secrets, trust with my dreams and ... and ... and ... um ... GRUB UP!!!!

Well, it's true!! No sense denying it! Along with the fun of talking with Leigh and scheming with Leigh and laughing at life with Leigh, he has this really good bad habit of showering me with the most terrific pressies! (Translation: "presents" for you xenophobic Americans, like me, who don't speak Australian!! Don't you love it?!)

Leigh sent me gifts before I even knew him!! Just couldn't resist spreading some of that Australian culture to America! I remember laughing when the first package arrived, in which he'd sent among other things some footy cards for Aussie Rules players. I had no idea who the players were or what I was going to do with the cards but I loved them!! He had me pegged even then!

Next came the autographs! Technically the footy essays came first, but it wasn't long after that the autographs came! A couple to start with and then a few more every so often and then a truckload of them! Every so often Leigh would drop a name and address where I might be able to obtain an autograph on my own if I had any interest! As if!!

One of the coolest things about AFL players and coaches is that quite often they return a handwritten letter with the autograph! You haven't lived until you've received a letter in the mail from Ron Barassi!! Go Swannies! (He made me say that!) And it's not just the Barassi letters, in other words the big names, that are treasures. I value each letter I've received and each autograph that has been sent to me! It's such an honour (Aussie spelling!) to know that the players have taken time to respond personally to the request of a fan!

Anyway, just the other day I heard the familiar rumble of the Kenworth coming down my street! Music to my ears!! Sure enough, an army of mail carriers filled my front yard with gifts from half way around the world! Wanna know what they delivered?!

Scroll back to the top of the page please, then come right back. I'll wait.

Do-do-dat-dat-do....! (Don't ask!)

See the Forever Richmond piccie? Yeah, that's me! (Piccie -- Australian for "picture" but you figured that out on your own, right?!) I'm wearing one of the pressies from the Kenworth! Leigh went to a Richmond Tigers game in Canberra earlier this year and he and his friend Susan were able to obtain all the signatures you see on the shirt at a party following the game! Is that awesome or what?!? I won't ever understand how he could give up something so precious, to me no less but I'm not about to argue the point!!

I am without a doubt the luckiest girl in all the world!! Thank you Leigh!

You know ... that's a pretty special thing to do. But Leigh never stops with special. In fact, Leigh never stops. Period!! Isn't he the best?!?! Ohhh, yes! He is!!!

And weren't the players terrific for cooperating?! What a great group of mates!

Aussies! I love 'em!!!

Want to know more? Oh, I hope so! I have so much to say!