Kali McGein © Eullogy-Enterprises

Riva McGein © NuisanceBearEull

This is an anniversary gift for. Admittedly a day late. Oh well.He doesn't really come to this site anymore. He may never even see this ... which is why I am going to say it all here.I really have only one requirement for the people in my life. They must be creative enough to hold my attention. To me, it's a sign of intelligence. I don't care what you look like, what sex, gender, race ... it's all about what's in your head. Nothing is more attractive to me than a rich internal world. I want to explore other people's worlds and see fascinating characters looking out at me from behind someone's eyes. Those of you who know me, know I have these traits as well ... it's richness and fascination is debatable, of course.But my husband has one of these. He has several. Some people have worlds as big as a continent with stories only a few years long. Not Josh. He has universes, dimensions, galaxies, and planets. Stories spanning billions of years. The vastness of his internal world made my few solar systems seem a little silly. When we got together, so did our universes and the people in them.... which brings me to Kali. Everyone has a character that is a little bit of their heart. That is somehow more cherished than the others. Kali is his. He did a comic which was, and NEEDS TO BE, longer than one issue. Strange Ranger. The story of Kali and her triumphs and tragedies in the war with the Machina. I think I fell in love with her a little. I don't get crushes on fictional characters often, but she was one of the very few exceptions. She was intriguing, beautiful, fit for battle and dressed for the occasion, and in all ways extraordinary. And I said, once Josh and I were together, that I would only see her paired with someone who was as wonderful for her as Josh is for me.Riva is one of my precious gems that I try to protect. He has such a good heart, can forgive almost anything, and believes that anyone can be redeemed. He has his flaws and problems like anyone else, but he transcends them in a way many don't. He loves until it breaks his heart, and takes pride in lifting up the people around him. He inspires others to be the best versions of themselves they can possibly be. I had never created another character who was worthy enough to be his partner in life.Only Kali deserves Riva, and only he deserves her. It's kind of like one of the best parts of Josh meeting one of the best parts of me.Yes. I am aware of how sappy and silly this sounds. Oh well.