Chapter 11: Choose your fight.

January 25, 1624

I cannot believe I am already a month on the estate. A month of surprises, new opportunities and new experiences. Franco is patient with all my one hundred questions, answering them as we go along. The villagers are really an interesting lot, and already I have made a few friends.

Rosa-Lee is a constant chatterbox, which makes me smile with pleasure. What a wonderful, brilliant child. She is everything I want in a daughter. Inquisitive. Energetic. Beautiful.

And my dear wife -- how can I describe the love I feel for her? She is everything I want, need and more. My heart still jumps when she enters a room, still taking my breath away. Her raven hair still mesmerizes me, and I love to run my fingers through the silky softness.

She is brilliant, stunning and she is all mine.

Every hardship I had to endure was worth it. Every day that I spend with her is a day that I am blessed, and I cannot thank God enough for this, and for keeping us safe.