Sonny gives the Marine Corps complete credit for his success in life. They made a man out of him and gave him the discipline he needed. Perhaps this gave him the impetus to become one of the top salespeople for 41 years of a "major" industrial chemical company. Sonny considers most of his customers friends. He is the first to offer emotional support to anyone who crosses his path, stranger or friend.

Whether it's hiking...

...sleeping in the detested tents...

...sitting in a zodiac, even though he is petrified of water...

...trekking...running marathons...visiting god-forsaken areas of the world...screaming at me on mountaintops that it's "another fine mess you got us into," or spewing reasons why we shouldn't go to places like Yemen, it's always Sonny who has the best time and is the most liked member of a group. (Unlike me who Sonny feels would be killed by friendly fire.) His charisma radiates throughout the world and a group of teen-age girls rushed him in a Japanese National Park screaming, "Rocky...Rocky..." and insisted on a group photo with "Rocky."

While still selling chemicals, Sonny's great love of people spills over to volunteer work. Look for him walking around Chicago's O'Hare Airport terminals wearing a big, red City of Chicago "Ask Me" button, ready to answer traveler's questions. Or in the USO, assisting servicemen, servicewomen and their families.

Today is Sonny's 70th Birthday and even although we're celebrating in Paris (a milestone birthday deserves a special place), I hope you'll all join in with good wishes for health and many more years of active traveling.

70 years or not...you will always be the good-looking, sexy and loving man I fell for. Happy Birthday! With love,

Sheila