It is hard to say where this story, or most any story, actually begins. As so many others, though, this story began as a love story. But perhaps this tale, like most, begins already underway, with a constant eye toward where and when it all started. Keep in mind that what has passed -- as much as we would oftentimes like to leave it in the past -- may always be with us in the present, supervising, influencing -- if not altogether controlling -- our present and our future. We try to sometimes ignore, resist, or at least manage its muscle, but only occasionally do we succeed. Like the O.J. Simpson - Nicole Brown, Ron Goldman case, we know how the trial ended, but the case continues. The reader should also keep in mind that every adventure is more of an adventure than writing or reading about it.