The Woman I Loved‍ From the second I met her, she had my heart in her hands. Neither of us knew that God had already begun writing the story of our lives together.

Christi and I had 54 years together. When we were in high school we lived almost 20 miles from each other. I ran cross country track. So everyday, I would run from where I lived to her house and we would spend time together.

I remember one time we had walked down to the corner church that had a swing in it front yard. I pushed her in the swing and finally told her I loved her. She smiled and said, 'You do, do you? I had never told anyone that before. Her response caught my heart off guard. I was not prepared to feel loved. To experience something I lost when my dad left. Christi’s love warmed my heart in a way a 17 year old boy could not understand. I kept pushing her in the swing, there was just silence and a soft peace. I finally held on to her around her waist and leaned in to kiss her on the neck, but she turned to look at me and I kissed her lips. It was the first time in my life I kiss a girl. She smiled really big. Then we heard Mrs. Curry (her mother) calling us for dinner. We walked back tot he house holding hands. I still have not let go.

Christi was the steady heartbeat of my life. She gave me strength when I was learning to stand, encouragement when I doubted myself, and a quiet faith that kept pointing us both toward Christ. Her love helped shape the man I became and the way I learned to see the world.

She walked beside me with patience and courage, showing me what faithful love looks like when it is lived day after day. She rarely sought attention, yet her life spoke with remarkable clarity. She taught me to slow down, to notice what others often pass by, and to recognize beauty in both people and God's creation.

The strength I carry, the faith I seek to live, and the beauty I pursue through my camera are all, in some measure, part of the legacy she left in my life. For that gift, I will always be grateful to God.

There will be more added to this page as time goes on.

March 18, 1970, changed the course of my life forever. I had been home on leave for a week and was only a few days away from returning to my duty station. Christi had always dreamed of being a June bride, but we received word that I would not be able to come home in June as planned.

That evening, we waited for choir practice to end so we could see one another. It was our last opportunity. With only three days' notice, Christi's mother and her best friend lovingly pulled together our wedding. They found a beautiful cake, printed invitations, and somehow made everything ready in time. That night, Christi and I stood before God and exchanged our vows. Early the next morning, I returned to my duty station, and our life together had begun.