Growing up the second of three sons in a small town in Northern Illinois, raised by hard working middle class parents, I always seemed to be doing the wrong things with the wrong friends. Throughout high school this continued. Within one year of high school graduation, nine of the people that I spent my time with were dead, one was in prison. I knew I had to seriously change the direction of my life. I did repent of my sin's and my life and was given the new direction I was desperate for. All I ever really wanted was to grow up and find my perfect wife and live a happy and good life with our children.

I did find my perfect wife. This is the story of the most wonderful girl I have ever known; Linda Diane Gribben Aper, my bride.
This is a woman who raised two sons, made their baby food, made the beds every day, kept a beautiful house. She drove the boys to school every day. She read, sang, and prayed with them every day. She sang in the choir, assisted in directing the children's choir. She coached teen Bible quizzing for 17 years. She crocheted baby blankets for every niece and nephew as they were born. She tole painted amazing works of art. She also had time to be my best friend. The girl I always dreamed of. These things might seem fairly ordinary, yes maybe for an ordinary person. Linda was no ordinary person. And now, after a lifetime of joy and tears, I wonder, how can I tell you about my loved one?