42

When Joe and I met in 1974, both of us were ‘dating around’ a bit...not planning on getting serious with anyone. Yet, three months after he asked me out, we were married. Today is our 42nd wedding anniversary! 


Joe keeps telling people, “This is the longest I’ve ever been married!”

I realize over and over that the love I had for him at the beginning pales in comparison to what we have now. And when we were blessed with a daughter, seeing Joe as a father made it greater still...

I could wax on all night about the man. Instead, I’ll just tell you that he brought things out of me I never knew were there. He saw the potential in me that I didn’t know existed!

I sewed basic things from the time I was 14 years old, and got pretty good at basics. But Joe challenged me to try sewing more complicated things by purchasing fabric and a pattern as a gift. I was brave enough to make a blouse with long sleeves, cuffs, buttons and a collar! That was a first for me. I even made buttonholes!


When we were first married, Joe taught me to drive a stick shift! My daddy tried a few years before but became exasperated, walked in the house, threw the keys to my sister and said he’d taught three kids to drive a stick and he was too old to try and teach me. (guess I wasn’t a fast learner...)

In 1978, he encouraged me to try radio! Joe had laryngitis and asked me to interview a visiting minister on the air during the 30 minute program he had at a local radio station. I did it, even though my knees were applauding my bravery! When the guys sent word that they wanted to talk with me about becoming a deejay, I just laughed. But they kept asking and Joe kept encouraging me to try it. I did. And that was the beginning of a career that lasted from 1978 to 2010!

When Hannah was a little girl, I would encourage her to try something new. My favorite quote to her was, “You can do hard things.” Guess Joe helped me realize that a long time ago.

Most of all, Joe has shown me Jesus. His loving, forgiving, and kind spirit blesses me. His joy is consistent! When describing him, I often tell people that what you see is what I get. He's the same wherever he is.

42 years...and I love the adventure we’re living! Happy anniversary to the love of my life...






Remember...
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!