At 18, I heard my boyfriend preach for the very first time. We were visiting my home church in Louisiana and he had been invited to fill the pulpit that Sunday morning. After hearing his exegetical message, I was convinced he was the one I wanted to hear the rest of my days! Growing up in a Bible-teaching church, I had been privileged to hear some pretty spectacular teaching. But now, I was hearing the youngest preacher I had ever heard (just 21 years of age) and he was amazing. Scripture was explained so that I understood what the author of the passage was conveying to his audience, and then what my responsibility should be. If I was going to attend church the rest of my life, I wanted to sit under teaching such as I had just heard.

Four months later, we were married! This guy has certainly been a challenge to my patience and unconditional love these many years (which would not have been possible apart from God Almighty’s presence in our lives), but I am SO thankful for him. As he turns 56 years old, his distinguished sermons still move me. But not only that, the tenacity and steadfastness that is so ingrain in who he is while producing the fortitude needed these three LONG years as he works on an Ed.D. Degree, is genuine. Now as he is in the dissertation process which consists of a couple more years of grueling work, his endurance admonishes me more and more.

Doing life with him has grown into a celebration of struggles which ultimately mature into blossoms of giant proportions! Birthdays are the perfect occasion to honor his noble gallantry and timeless chivalry! He is MY hero as well as my very best friend. I love you, Rodney Phillips.