Book excerpt: I am a Psychotherapist by profession. I was sitting in a bunker in Iraq on the day that I was inspired to write this book. We had just come under attack and danger was looming. A gentleman sitting next to me whispered “I should have made up with my wife last night; I want her to know how I feel.” I looked at him and said, “What do you want me to tell her, because I'm getting out of here alive? My goal was to instill hope. Next, I said to him “Now, I need you to move to the other end of the bunker.” We all laughed. At that moment I started jokingly asking other men and women in the bunker, if there was anything they needed me to tell their family members? That was the starting dialog for Loving Me First. These conversations extended beyond the bunkers. Collectively, we engaged in countless conversations about relationships and life experiences during my two year tour in Iraq. Greater than 25 countries were represented during our conversations. Communication, sexual intimacy, and emotional pain were recurring topics identified as either beneficial or detrimental in many relationships. These same three variables are also prominent topics of discussion expressed by adults in the United States. Loving Me First is a gender neutral, unisex book that examines various components of relationship experiences from a global perspective. It discusses a collective summary of cross-cultural relationship experiences, and encapsulates life lessons learned. I was motivated to write this book to ensure that the words and experiences of these and other amazing people were remembered, encapsulated, and discussed from and international perspective. Life is a journey; your route may parallel the evolution of a pearl and you may have endured some irritants. Many people triumph over adversity; however, pain that is not transformed its transmitted internally or externally. Loving Me First includes eight insights for transformational growth and emotional healing. It empowers the reader to move forward in life with hope and happiness. May you live with purpose as you prepare to give and receive unconditional love into your life.