January 11, 2026: The Story Squares

The container of time.

Long before planners and phone alerts, calendars followed the Moon. Early farmers watched the soil and skies.

Then the Babylonians invented the seven-day week.

Centuries later, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII approved a new approach. Today, this Gregorian system serves as the official one for nearly the entire planet, a combination of astronomical observations and religious reforms.

For me, a calendar holds more than dates. Each square freezes a moment.

Here are my favorites with Jess:

August 24, 1995
First date — a baseball game then an evening beach stroll.

September 9, 1995
First kiss at a quiet park.

October 13, 1995
First “I Love You” — stated by me, not her. She took almost 24 hours to say it back.

May 17, 1997
Engagement — on the beach with a big conch shell.

March 7, 1998
Marriage — a walk down the aisle at Talbot Park Baptist Church in Norfolk.

And then, our story expanded with more miraculous days involving our children.

It’s nice to have a system that captures these special milestones, reminding us of what matters in life.

Shout out to the Pope.