The reason I say "I love you"

It was a drive he made a million times. For nearly 30 years, he called Little Rock home, though his career took him back and forth from Fayetteville over and over. Now, he's made the drive for the last time.

Paul Eells, who my Arkansas friends know as "The Voice of the Razorbacks", is a dear man. Or, now, shall I say "was" a dear man. Paul was killed on an Arkansas highway while driving home from Northwest Arkansas where he spent many treasured moments. I have known Paul for years, and have had the pleasure of knowing his sweet wife as well. Ask anyone who knows Paul and they'll probably say one of several things... (1) He's the nicest man I've ever known (2) There's something so special about Paul (3) I've never heard that man complain (4) What a wonderful man!

The thing is, if anyone knew Paul and didn't like him, then there HAD to be something wrong with that person.



Paul's untimely and lightning-flash fast death is a tragic illustration of why I always tell EVERYONE I love that I love them. I say it to my husband every morning and remind him that there's precious cargo in his vehicle, and for him to drive accordingly. I say it every time I get off the phone with or leave the presence of my family. I tell my friends. It may seem like an overkill... an everyday overkill... but it's not.



You see, Paul didn't know he'd never complete his drive home. Can you imagine the thoughts that would haunt his dear wife had she not reminded him of her extraordinary love for him before they last parted? Knowing the Eells family, I know she did. They were so in love... eternal newlyweds.

I'm eternally in love with my family and my friends... all of them. That's the reason I say "I love you."