To my favorite person, my Valentine
Betty and I married at the age of 18 and 19. Together we have not only survived but thrived and been more blessed than i could ever imagine.
To the most wonderful woman in the world, my valentine for 52 years, my best friend, my constant companion, the mother of wonderful children, a fantastic grandmother, and a marvelous great-grandmother, Betty.
When I met you at Shorter College, I had no idea we would have over half a century of love, adventure, and unwavering partnership. Less than nine months after our first meeting, we took that leap of faith together - and what a magnificent leap it has been. It shocked our parents, but our friends knew we would marry each other before I did. We were never apart, even then.
This day made me think of our first Valentine’s Day. Well, I was very interested in you and unsure about your interest in me. I didn’t even know what to do for the special day. I never was big on store-bought cards and knew little about giving flowers. A friend suggested I give you three red roses, which meant, “I love you!” Well, I did, and that was 52 years ago. I still love you today, but oh, so much more.
We wrote our love story across continents, from the vibrant streets of Mexico to the eighteen years we spent in Peru, where we built churches, schools, and a legacy of faith and service together. Through every sermon preached, and every student taught, you’ve been my steadfast partner in ministry, my fellow worker in God’s service.
We have received immeasurable blessings—four beautiful children who have grown into amazing adults, twenty precious grandchildren who fill our lives with joy and laughter, our sweet great-granddaughter, and another little blessing is coming. Each one is a testament to the love that began with us, multiplying and spreading through generations.
Life hasn’t always been gentle with us. We’ve faced the storms together - COVID’s uncertainty, three battles with cancer, and the ongoing fight we still face today and much chaos. Yet through every hospital visit, every treatment, every moment of uncertainty, your hand in mine has been my anchor. Your strength has been my strength; your faith has bolstered mine.
Looking back over these 51 years, I see God’s fingerprints all over our story. He knew exactly what He was doing when He brought us together. You’ve been more than my spouse - you’ve been my best friend, my closest confidant, my partner in ministry, and my greatest earthly blessing. Marrying you wasn’t just the best decision I ever made - it was the beginning of the most beautiful adventure I could have imagined.
I’ve found everything in you - a fellow missionary with a heart for serving others, a loving parent who has helped raise our beautiful family, a faithful partner through health and sickness, and a best friend who makes every day brighter just by being in it.
As we celebrate another Valentine’s Day together, my heart is as full of love for you as it was when we first said “I do” - no, even fuller, because now our love has been tested by time, strengthened by trials, and enriched by countless shared moments of joy and challenge.
Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for every sacrifice you’ve made, every dream you’ve helped build, every prayer you’ve prayed, and every moment you’ve shared. Our story isn’t over yet, and there’s no one else I’d rather continue writing it with than you.
With all my love, today and always,
Austin