My grandfather was a cook for the army for 50 years. He specialized in pies. When I was a kid he once asked me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday. I love cake but said "No cake, please make me one of your apple pies" He was suprised but he did as I asked. Every birthday till he died. When my girlfriend made me propose to her, it was under a couple of conditions. One of which was that she learn to make pies from 'Pop'. For the last 25 years, she has made the birthday pie and I can't honestly tell the difference. I like ALL pie but, by wife's (and my pop's) apple reign supreme.