I was raised in a reformed Synagogue, went to Hebrew school on Sundays until it was time to prep for my Bar Mitzvah, where I then began attending Sunday and Wednesday. I remember those days as fond memories. I had the privilege of going to Israel for my first time with my Synagogue and fell in love with it. The people, the history, the culture, but the Kotel was special – I believe it is for everyone – but for me, planted a seed of a need of closeness with Hashem. I went back to Israel for Taglit where I grew lifelong friendships, then again to finish out college where I lived in Ramat Aviv for nearly a year while studying at Tel Aviv University. When I got back I got engaged and moved to Dallas with my now wife. I struggled to find a Synagogue that felt like a home to me, and with the high holidays coming in, needed to find a place that would have a seat open for me and I found the local Chabad. I quickly became friends with the Rabbi running the Chabad as well as others that worked within the Dallas Area Torah Association (“DATA”). I wrapped Tefillin for the first time with one of these Rabbis, and this deep emotional, and closeness that I felt with Hashem was reminiscent of my first time at the Kotel. A few years after (a few months ago) I met with a new Rabbi that asked if I would like to join him and wrap Tefillin and learn a bit and I took him up on it. I loved the idea of centering the mind and heart and silent prayer – or a time to speak with “my G-d”. He invited me a few times and one day had one waiting for me provided by a Tefillin Gemach that I can take with me. I was honored and happy and grateful to have the chance to wrap every day. I have not missed a day (other than shabbat) since. I have sincerely experienced noticeable changes in my life that are of benefit since this has started. Still continue to meet with the Rabbi, and have come to enjoy morning Minyan at my Synagogue when I can make it. I continue to learn more about tefillin, find new ways that it is special. It has become my guidance for my day to keep me on track, it has become my homing beacon when I move off and a way to strengthen my relationship with Hashem, and ultimately my family, friends, work relationships. I am eternally grateful to the Gemach for the ability to start and equally grateful to The Barber Foundation for giving me a Tefillin to call mine.