It’s February 14th today. I vividly remember my gifts to you on Valentines past. I remember us strolling up and down the street on our first Valentine while you timidly held my gift bag. I remember (and still have) the little notebooks we exchanged a year later and me whispering “I love you” for the first time. I remember how elaborate my gifts used to be many years ago.

My Darling Tamara, after 15 wonderful years, I thought I was out of ideas. I know we said we’re not going to do gifts this year but I think I have one more little gift to give you.

I asked myself: What can I give the woman who has stood by me through good and bad, who has loved me across continents and oceans and never lost faith in me? What do I give my best friend and confidant? The woman with whom I have built a wonderful home? Well, my little gift to you this year is this website.

Sure, it’s not fancy or famous but it’s where I’m going to go to tell stories about people finding their Damascus, about people finding new homes and building new lives. It’s where I’m going to remind the world that we are a good and loving people. It’s where I’m going to go to find and spread hope.

Hayati, I am reminded every day of how fortunate I am to have you in my life. You’ve given me a place to call home and filled it with love, warmth and laughter. I hope that by dedicating this website to you , I can give you someplace to go often to find some peace, love and hope.

For everything that you’ve done and just for being you, this website is dedicated to you.

To Tamara, with love.

Happy Valentine’s Day.