I love hearing other peoples’ love stories and their thoughts and tips on what makes their marriages work. This week’s spotlight couple has been together since their sophomore year of high school. Henrietta is a graduate of Morris College in Sumter, SC with a Political Science Degree, and works as an administrator assistant. Her husband, Mike is a graduate of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with a degree in Criminal Justice and is employed by the US Department of Justice. They currently reside in Bluffton, SC and have two sons: Michael who is 16 and Chancelor who is 8 years old. This power couple has been together for 26 years and married for 16 years.
What was the glue that held you two together especially during those first years in and out of high school?
Mike: The glue that held us together at least on my part was my commitment to her, and me knowing at a fairly young age that she was the person that I wanted as my wife. I knew that she was the one for me from day one, as corny as that sounds, but I just knew.
Henrietta: It was love at first sight. It was something about the swag that he had as a young boy that drew me to him. I could tell that he wanted to be somebody and he was going places, and I wanted to be part of that. We continue to share a bond that is unbreakable. I honestly believe that it is a love that God has placed between the two of us, and that no man or woman can come between.
How have you been able to maintain your level of friendship over the years?
Mike: This is the person that I enjoy spending time with more than any other person. I respect her feelings and I never want to do anything to disappoint her. She is my best friend.
Henrietta: We maintain our friendship by being supportive of each other through both the good and bad times. I laugh at his jokes even when there are not funny, and I give him his space when he needs it, and likewise with him.
What is the biggest life lesson you have learned in your 16 years of marriage?
Mike: How to compromise. You have to be flexible and you have to be open to things that might be a little uncomfortable for you at times, to get to where you want to be in your marriage. We are both strong-minded people so there are times when we have to compromise and just agree to disagree on things. I learned not to sweat the small things at the end of day because we both have what is best for our family in mind.
Henrietta: You have to maintain an open line of communication. Honesty is the approach that we take with each other. I feel that you should be supportive of your spouse in whatever they are attempting to accomplish, even if you don’t necessarily agree with it. You must be willing to give of yourself at all times, and you have to make sacrifices.
Click the pages below for more of Mike and Henrietta’s story…….
What are some of the best memories you’ve created together?
Mike: They would be watching my wife grow from a teenage girl into a strong mature woman over the years. Watching her give birth to our 2 boys was just an amazing experience, and it gave me a different level of love and respect for her.
Henrietta: The best memories that I have are watching him grow from a boy to a man. Watching him become a very powerful husband, father, and provider for his family. The best memories that we created together were the birth of our boys.
How did becoming a parent change you personally?
Mike: It gave me a whole new point of view in life. Now I had this little person that was totally dependent upon me to provide for his every need. I wanted to make sure that my sons would have every advantage in life.
Henrietta: It made me more responsible, knowing that I was responsible for this person. I became more disciplined, it allowed to understand the true meaning of sacrifice.
What are your dreams for your children?
Mike: That they both have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I hope that they both have the chance to experience the gift of true love, and that they be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
Henrietta: My prayer, hope, and dreams for our sons are to always put God first in everything that they do. I want them to have faith within themselves and know that with God on their side nothing in this world is impossible. I want them to receive a great education and live life to the fullest. I want them to be very respectful young men who are going to prosper in this world and become great pillars in the community, great husbands and fathers.
Click the pages below for more of Mike and Henrietta’s story…….
Who has been your biggest influence on your marriage and why?
Mike: My parents were the biggest influence on me because they kept things simple and they always respected and (most of all) loved each other.
Henrietta: I always admired the love that my grandparents had for each other, the bond that they had. I loved seeing the gentleman that my grandfather was, and how he treated my grandmother. It gave me the image of the kind of man that I wanted and deserved.
What is one key piece of advice that you want readers to walk away from after reading this interview?
Mike: What I want people to take from this is that there is no perfect marriage because there are no perfect people. You should always keep the vows that you take in the fore front of your marriage, and always work towards honoring them.
Henrietta: What I want people to take from this that in order to have faith in someone else you have to have faith in yourself. Remember that in any relationship always keep an open line of communication and be willing to sacrifice. Always be each other’s biggest fan, and more importantly, keep God in your marriage, and keep family, friends, and all others out of it.
Thank you to Henrietta and Mike for taking time out to share their story with all of us.
BMWK: Show our spotlight couple some love by sharing in the comments section what inspired you about their interivew.