Here’s to my best friend … Patty

We could write a book. We should write a book. We likely won’t write a book. But, I will tell a little of the story. 27 years ago at 7 p.m. we looked at each other and said, “I do.” For 31 years we have grown to be the best of friends. In fact, that is how it all started. We ran in the same circle of friends and then found ourselves circling each other.

Some may consider it a bit biased, but she is one of the most creative, endearing, soft, spiritual people I know. Patty is a giver, preferring to be quiet though she can be very boisterous. Often referred to as “a-typical” when it comes to being a “pastor’s wife.” But then again, I have often been considered “a-typical” for a pastor. It is not that we are profane. It is more than we prefer to live into our humanity realizing that without Jesus we would surely devolve into something less than human.

In some ways the intersection of our stories represent the clash of vastly different experiences of life. Rather than a story of rich meets poor, it is more a story of different meets different. Too often we think these kinds of stories are different meets normal. But we have learned walking with hundreds of people in different Christian faith communities there really is no normal. The idea of normal is a pretense – one we prefer to shun.

Last year we entered a new period in our lives – the birds flew the coup. Kimberly married Craig nearly 6 years ago. Tommie and Jason will celebrate year number 1 soon. We hope we have gifted them with not the ideal marriage but the ideal friendship. Too many I have talked to about marriage discover what Bonhoeffer described about participation in a faith community – our wish dreams kill the thing. In fact, I think Bonhoeffer’s description in Life Together could well help many face the loss of innocence and the crashing to earth of the lofty ideal.

We enter human relationships not for the fulfillment of our dreams, but for what we will become. I am a better person, man, dad, husband, pastor, and friend having spent more than 2/3 of my life with my best friend. Yes, I do believe it is the grace of God at work. But I dare not diminish the very way in which that grace has been experienced in Patty.

May you be graced with just such a person in  your life.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

8 comments on “Here’s to my best friend … Patty

  1. Bill Kinnon says:

    Congrats to you both. It’s Imbi’s and my 27th this coming July, so we will celebrate the joy of 1983 with you!

    1. Bill, and we shall both celebrate the joy of 1983. Early congrats to you and Imbi!

  2. Brenna says:

    Happy anniversary — on my mom’s birthday. Enjoy your time in Tampa/St. Pete.

    1. Thanks Brenna. We had a great time. My brother Paul’s wife’s birthday is also on the 18th. Hope your mom enjoyed a good day.

  3. Benjie says:

    Congratulations, and keep it up.

  4. Penny says:

    Congrats to you and Patty. I’m glad I was around when it started. It was very special back then to watch you guys and I’m proud to see it is still continuing stronger than ever.

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