Well, I’m another year older today, 37, and it’s times like these that makes me relize what I’ve done with my life in that time. I was born in Monroe, Louisianna on June 27, 1969. My family travled around the world for a few years before we settled in Houston, Texas where I was raise. Growing up on comics and figures, there was nothing more I wanted than to be a Superhero when I grew up. I started training in Martial Arts when I was 10 years old, and I hold a second degree blackbelt in Tae Know Do, as well as blackbelts in Aikido and Chung Moo Doe, and I was always very active in sports.
After high school, I joined the Army as a Military Policeman and was staioned in Korea. I’ve been a thrill seeker my whole life. I have jumped out of airplanes, helicopters, climb mountains, rode motorcycles and anything else that would get me that next adrenaline rush. After the army I traveled around a lot, seeking the answers to life. I’ve stood on the edge on the Grand Canyon, and have been in 4 places at once, Four Corners, I had 1 hand in Colorado and 1 in Utah and 1 foot in New Mexico and 1 in Arizona.
I have always had a wild streak and there’s never been a woman who could tame me. That is until I met my wife, Amanda, (The love of my life). We have been married almost 10 years and have 3 beautiful daughters, Katie 10, Krissy 8, and Olivia 8 months. We have a Rot-Lab mix, Logan and 2 cats, Rogue and Phoenix.
I hurt my back in a tragic work accident, back in 1999. I was a restaurant manager and was doing my inventory in the storeroom. When all of a sudden I heard a crack from behind me. It was the leg braking on one of our storage racks, it stood about 5’ high and weighed about 300lbs. Before I could even think, it came crashing down on me and pinned me to the floor. Now, I’m a pretty big guy, 6’ 1” 220lbs, and I worked out all the time, so my first thought was to push myself up. Big mistake! as soon as I began to push I felt a pull in my lower back, it felt like a rubber band snapping. I thought it was just a torn muscle and waited for help to arrive. When they pulled the rack off me, I stood up with some assistance but didn’t feel too bad, just very sore. So, I was sent home to rest and when I woke up the next day I couldn’t move. I have never felt pain like that in my life, it was so bad that I had to crawl to the bathroom. After I went to the doctor I found out I had a ruptured disk, and needed surgery immediately. I felt some relief afterwards, but in just a few short months I began feeling more back pain. So, 6 years later I’ve had 5 lower back surgeries, and my spine is fused from the middle of my back down to my tailbone. That means I have two 3” screws in each of my disk and a cage that surrounds it. I’ve learned to control the pain through mediation and medication. The funny thing is, I hold multiple Black Belts, played sports, jumped out of planes, climbed mountains, served in the Army, and I have always pushed myself to be the best in everything I do, and it took a frickin’ rack of food to take me out 
I was so depressed for several years during the last 7 that I thought I’d never be anything close to what I was. But, through the love of my wife and daughters I found the meaning to life. “LOVE”, is the key to everything and w/o it, I can’t honestly say I’d be here today, b/c some of the days I went through were just too black to see past ‘em.
When I found out about customizing in Aug. 2004 ( Thanks to Jez’s Conan), I was so happy b/c it gave me an outlet for working and purpose. That’s why I push myself so hard at it, b/c to me it’s more then a hobby, it’s my only job. I can’t belive how blessed I’ve been b/c of it, and thank God everyday for it.
So, that’s the skinny on my history. I’m sorry if it got too long winded, I can be that way sometimes. It’s just when you have a Birthday, you start to question your mortality, and I think it’s better to get it out in the open to your friends.
I realized this year that nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of having a family. And now I AM a superhero in their eyes :D
Thanks for listening,
Rom
PS. My wife just gave me my B-Day card and I wanted to also share it with y’all. It really touched my heart.
I remember how I felt the first time I saw you.
There was something about you that I couldn’t forget.
Maybe it was your eyes or your irresistible smile
All those things that I have since come to know so well.
But whatever it was, I remember that it drew me in and took hold of me in a way I couldn’t ignore.
Now when I look at you, I see someone who’s become so incredibly important in my life.
Yet there are still those moments when I feel the mystery, the charm, the same invisible power, pulling me to you-
just as it did when we first met.
And in those moments,
I can’t help myself…
I fall in love all over again
Happy Birthday to my beautiful husband.
I’ll love you always, Amanda
He who has the most Toys when we die wins.
Hope the next year bring you more things to enjoy and celebrate. I wish you many happy returns of your day!