I had the pleasure to be asked to be a chaperone for a Sweet 16 Party last weekend, and because no one has ever trusted me with that kind of responsibility I immediately said yes. My dear Sophie, who I have loved since she was a small child, was growing up right before my eyes. She was dressed as a princess that night, and wearing a dress that captured not only her beauty but it was as if the sparkles of light reflected her inner loveliness, too, as she was becoming a lady—and she had the tiara to prove it.

It seemed only yesterday when she was in the garden swinging on the hammock with her even younger darling little sister Reilly. Two of the most amazing, well-mannered girls I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Polite, and fun to watch that day as they and their parents joined me in the garden that hot summer day. Truth be told, I knew from that moment they arrived I wanted to become their devoted “Uncle Marsly”, the man they can ask for anything—and I would give it to them.

Being single myself and having two older unmarried brothers, it’s probable that there is not chance in hell the stork will ever be visiting me or them anytime soon. Mother has come to terms with this years ago and accepts Violet as the closest thing to having a granddaughter. So what is a lifestyle expert, single guy who loves children to do? The answer is simple—dote on other people’s children and offer up the “forever available and supportive uncle” role.

My friends have welcomed me into their lives in this self-proclaimed role. Children grow to be become young adults, and young adults go away to school, get married, and have kids of their own. Being a part of their lives enriches mine and allows me to spoil them. Offering love and affection fills my heart and it gives me such joy to witness their journey through life, as a dear friend and as their proud “surrogate uncle Marsly”.

As Sophie blew out her candles surrounded by her 50 friends, she displayed poise and maturity that was beyond her 16 years of life, and I witnessed the celebrations with Reilly by my side. Okay, so I had to pay her $20.00 bucks to hang out with me, but so what, it was worth it.

Soon the stork will arrive for my dear friend Audra Lowe, Host of Better TV, and I can’t wait to be there to love and adore her new baby. Audra, you might have the most amazing husband and a perfect career in television but soon I’ll have the best job off all—spoiling your new baby and being able to give him/her back when I’m done.

Birthday parties will come and go and we will look back at the photos (and wonder “What were we wearing?” and “Why?”) Children grow up fast and we grow older even faster, but knowing I can do it together with my friends and their families makes me truly lucky—and proud—to get to be an Uncle, a friend and a colleague.

www.marjennings.com

Daniels said the director asked if he would come back to play Michael, and he was thrilled by it. Liu is very excited to make her Broadway debut and perform with these veteran stage actors.

British actress, Janet Mcteer, has garnered multiple Tony nominations, as well as a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination. She said playing on Broadway is very loud since audiences are very demonstrative in their appreciation of theater, a bit different from the quietude of the West End. She loves playing Veronica opposite Daniels.

Did you know Daniels has been playing guitar for more than 30 years and writing music? He’s played a few times at City Winery, so you may want to check out their calendar, you never know, he may show up!

We’ll have much more with all four actors on Better, March 19th…make sure to check out your local listings.

Matt Kennon Performs

I just might become a country music fan after meeting Matt Kennon and his band.

His single “The Call” is lighting up request lines all over the country and I’ll tell you it’s for two reasons.

Number 1: The song has a great message.

And Number 2: His voice is SEXY!

He has a great southern,whiskey, deep voice and you can’t help but like it! (Ladies… he says he’s taken.) Matt was Georgia raised and hangs his hat now in Nashville.

 His arms are adorned with colorful tattoos and he’s not afraid to joke around. He had a great attitude on set and was a pleasure to work with.

His single “The Call” really hits your heart about love and support.  Make sure to check out his performance on Better Monday, February 22.

And if you want to learn more about him beforehand check out www.mattkennon.com. Or if want to download his song now it’s available on itunes. (His full album is out April 27th)

Usually I don’t pimp out musicians but you’ll definitely want to hear this song.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cupid—charged with protecting this word—nor would I ever want to find myself with wings and fly around shooting arrows, but I can’t help feeling that it would be nice if the word “love” still represented an intense deep feeling and affection to someone, not something. Of course we can always love our pets, but loving things such as a car, furniture or even golf clubs seems to blur the real meaning of loving.

So what’s the real difference? I have lost someone I loved, and it’s very different than losing a car or pair of shoes. If you’ve experienced the death of a loved one, like me you know that your love for that person takes flight along with their beloved soul, and it is irreplaceable to let go. Today my heart is full with memories and the passionate feelings of that love, making me a better person for having loved and lost rather than never loving at all. I have grown to love again because of that experience. My love today has grounded me to evolve not just in loving someone but adoring them too. I don’t think anyone has ever had the same kind of growth after “loving” and losing a great pair of shoes.

So on this Valentine’s Day weekend I suggest we all think twice about what we “love”, and reclaim love as a powerful meaning of passion and affection. This Valentine’s Day express your love to that special someone with a little added explanation: “I adore you my darling, and I love you so much more than anything or anyone.” Now that’s a gift from the heart that will get their attention.

With the Winter Olympic games just around the corner it’s hard not to reminisce about my former skating career. Just like millions of Americans, I too, have been glued to the television watching my fellow skaters compete to capture a place on the 2010 Olympic Team in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

My excitement has motivated me to skate quit a bit lately, and so much so that I have introduced my skating lifts and exercises off-ice—to my local gym. That said, my dear friend Geri Zatcoff (a nutrition expert) has been dubbed my new off-ice partner, and I began introducing a series of moves and lifts to her over the last couple of weeks. This week she was not exactly confident to be lifted, but with several weeks of stretching and mini lifts behind us, we left it to fate and up she went. Success! Although I leave you with this warning: just as the small print on your review mirror reads “objects may appear closer than they appear,” her small print could well say “remember: object may appear lighter than one crazy person might estimate.” Meaning my fault, not hers: my skating partners routinely had weights hovering near the 100 lb mark—a typical size for the sport, and my friend is definitely not big—in fact, extremely fit and slim—but still not what I remembered.

To witness us one would think we were a former disco dancing team that lost our way or perhaps an old professional pair team coming out of retirement. Either way, this press lift was witness by a packed gym filled with those tough guys. Oh well, in the end the boy got the girl, and so what if it just about killed him. It’s a good thing I’m a strong guy, as she said afterward: “I can’t believe you can pick up this old hag”. Hardly a hag, she may have not been the lightest person I’ve ever picked up, but definitely the one that got the most attention.

That said, I would have my new friend JoJo Starbuck to thank for this new lifting inspiration, as not long ago I was skating with her and longing to do pairs again. Truth be told, this week I was invited to help teach JoJo’s morning class in New York at the Rockefeller Plaza Rink. JoJo Starbuck’s a three time National Pairs Champion and a two-time Olympian. She choreographs many of today’s skating stars and teaches figure skating to adults. And that’s where I came in. Tuesday I once again graced the ice with my new friend to help teach her adults skaters. The perfect way to start my day as her students were all amazing, fun and excited to be there. Of course the fact that JoJo herself teaches and offers insight and skating tips solidifies the love and dedication that these skaters have. With the oldest student over 70 I was reminded that you’re never too old to exercise and or skate.

Later that day I went to the Martha Stewart Sirius Radio station for an interview on Living Today with my buddy and good friend Mario Bosquez—I was asked on to share some Super Bowl party ideas. I always loved listening to his show, even before starting to appear on it; whether you’re just starting dinner or making your way home from the office, you’ll love tuning in to Living Today. I’ve had the pleasure to be a regular guest on the show and always look forward to it.

So with JoJo Starbuck on my mind and Martha Stewart Radio under my belt, I returned to Connecticut inspired and ready to hit the gym and try my lifts with my friend again. Who knew hitting the gym could mean getting some weightlifting in without touching a barbell?

Are we too old to dream, to have aspirations, be inspired, or to really live? I think definitely not, as I dreamed of meeting JoJo Starbuck since I was a child: done that. I aspired to be on the MSO radio: done that! Live to be all I can be, even if it means breaking my back and lifting a woman rather that a young thin thing: Crazy maybe, but still done that! If I can still do it, well that’s just MARvelous!