In 1995, Kandy and I were visiting family in PA for Thanksgiving. My brother Kevin drove in from Ohio with his family. As we visited, I sang a few of the songs I had written. Kevin told me about a poem he'd written for his daughter, Erin, when she was born. The poem mentioned that she was an Angel In His Arms.

When I heard that line, I immediately started thinking how it was a strong hook for a song. I told Kevin that I was going to write a song from his inspiration.

Shortly after Kandy and I returned to Florida, we got a call from my cousin Tom. He told me that his daughter was getting married at the end of December and he wanted to do something special for her. He asked me if I could write a song for the wedding. I told him I'd try but as I hung up the phone I had no idea if I was going to be able to come through.

I turned to Kandy and mentioned how odd it was that two fathers asked me to write songs for their daughters within a weeks time. I asked her what she thought and she suggested I write a song similar to Daddy's Little Girl that follows the relationship between a father and daughter through the years. No sooner did she finish speaking, I started writing. I finished the song in about 20 minutes.

A great friend of mine, Greg Simms, was able to lay down the music in just a few hours. Before I knew it "Angel In My Arms" was finished. Or so I thought.

As Kandy and I drove down the road a few days later, we were listening to the song. I told her that I thought it needed something at the end. So, I made up the girls rebuttal and sang it to her in the car. We both started crying immediately. I went back to Greg and added the extra part. The song was complete and just in time for the wedding. It was a beautiful sight to see my cousin and his daughter (Casey) dancing blissfully to a song I had written for that exact moment.

I was often asked how I was inspired to write such a song considering I didn't have any kids yet. I tell them that I was able to pull my inspiration from the relationship my wife has with her father. It was easy to be inspired with so much love in their hearts.

As a token of Tom's appreciation for penning the song, he gave me a 1958 Gibson Melody maker Electric Guitar. Not just any guitar though. This guitar was given to Tom by his Uncle right before he left for Vietnam. His Uncle never returned. Tom told me about this story when Kandy and I first moved to FL.

We stayed with Tom and Sally for 8 days while we found an apartment. During our visit, Tom let me strum a few chords on what would one day become one of my most cherished possessions. Just as, I know, it was to him. Thanks Tom, Kevin, Casey, Erin, and of course, Kandy for being the inspiration for this song.