We met at a softball game in May 1982 — Graham Hall (ladies’ dorm) vs. Kirby Smith (guys’ dorm) on the edge of the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. His suitemates were friends of mine, and he’d transferred from ABAC in Tifton, Georgia, after his dad’s job moved the family to Metairie at the beginning of the semester.

He asked me out for the very next night. We had steak and salad at Western Sizzlin’, then walked and talked around the LSU lakes. We’ve been together ever since.

He was tall, handsome, with deep brown eyes and serious dance moves. He loved his parents, took school seriously, and had a rock-solid work ethic. His parents and grandparents modeled faithfulness and joy — and that gave me hope for the kind of future we could build together. I was determined to leave behind some unhealthy family traits and start something good. And did I mention? He’s still so handsome. Be still my heart!

We married on the LSU campus at the Baptist Student Union in July 1983 — the same summer as the World’s Fair in New Orleans — making us 42 years married this past summer.

Our first home was a tiny Tiger Town apartment just off campus. I bought a dining table and chairs for $50, and he had a 9-inch black-and-white TV we carried from room to room if something “great” was on. The living room “set” was two plastic lawn chairs and shelves built from blue Pepsi crates I brought home from my job at A&P. I worked nights there and weekends too, before graduating and moving into the Investment and Legal Department at Capital Bank — a clearinghouse for small banks across Louisiana.

Bob’s first job after earning his Forestry degree was with a mall cleaning company on the night shift until a full-time position opened at Auto Shack. From there, he went on to a service writer at the Chevrolet dealership, Genuine Parts (NAPA), Advance Auto Parts, and now, after decades in the auto industry, he’s retiring from Jasper Engines & Transmissions out of Jasper, Indiana at the end of this month.

This faithful, kind man has led our family to church, to historic landmarks, and to beautiful neighborhoods we’ve called home across many transfers. He’s loved golf, auto racing, and a good beach trip for as long as I’ve known him. We’ve shared the Walk to Emmaus community, enjoyed fancy restaurants and company trips across the country, and learned to manage our finances God’s way — thanks to a “wrong book” that arrived from a book club while we were snowed in up north. (Financial Peace, first edition!) That little mistake changed our financial lives forever.

I realized early on that the best gifts I could give Mr. Bob were a joyful, peaceful home — and a good credit score. Done and done!

Christine came along in 1987, and Ben in 1989. Every dog he ever rescued now lives in “dog heaven” after enjoying life at the Reilly Bed & Breakfast. We’ve lived in three states and six homes. Mr. Bob and our now adult kids are minimalists; I am not. That’s why we have a basement — everything has a story! Our rule is: nothing new comes in unless something goes out.

When we lived in New England, Bob traveled for work, and we often joined him for holidays and as soon as summer break started — crashing his hotel (kids could stay and eat free in those days) to explore Boston, Niagara Falls, Cape Cod, Memphis, Bangor, Saratoga, the White Mountains, and New York City.

Since he ate out for work on the road, I always cooked when he was home. Growing up in south Louisiana came in handy! If we went out, it was a special, “get-dressed-up” occasion — because, as he put it, he wanted our daughter to know what it looked like to be treated well and not be swayed by a boy in a truck and a drive-thru, and our son to know how to eat in public like a gentleman.

When our kids were both under five, one of Bob’s coworkers signed us up to be Secret Shoney’s Shoppers. We visited the same Shoney’s restaurant each week — rating hospitality, food, and service — and got reimbursed monthly for our meals. For almost two years, our littles learned a ton of manners to sit, eat, and talk politely in public before we moved north.

Mr. Bob is a really good dad. Our adult kids call him more than me — and honestly, I love that. Seeing him as a grandfather? He’s never been more hot in my eyes. Four little people call him Pops.

We’ve always said you shouldn’t just retire from something — you should retire to something. So, come mid-November, he’ll start a new chapter as a parts delivery driver for our local O’Reilly Auto Parts, just five minutes from home — the perfect “retirement job.” He’ll deliver to many of the same customers he’s served for decades. But first: a few weeks of sleeping in, no alarms, and catching up on long-postponed projects.

His work ethic is unmatched, and I can already see him making new friends and soaking up time with the grands. I’m looking forward to coming home to dinner ready and taking in a walk through the neighborhood right after to catch up on our day.

Our life has never been flashy, but it’s been full of faith, laughter, and teamwork. We’ve raised two adults who love the Lord, love each other, and still love spending time with us. We’ve been debt-free since 1990, and he’s called me every night he’s ever been on the road. Every single night. His last nights on the road will probably be this week.

He does the laundry on Sundays (my workday) and makes sure I get to sing “Calling Baton Rouge” at the top of my lungs in Death Valley at least once a year. It’s not his thing — but he grins that it’s mine.

I’m so proud of Mr. Bob — of the man he is, the faith he lives, and the life we’ve built together. I couldn’t walk through the doors God has opened for me without his steady love and trust.

When I started in church weekend ministry, I aimed to not be away from home any more than two nights a week, which has made me a committed planner. Saturdays are sacred for us — our one shared day off for decades. My Sabbath is Friday; his is Sunday. That rhythm may not change, but the pressure of sales quotas and hotel life will soon be gone.

Come October 31st, my faithful, hard-working, handsome husband will finally hang up his road bag — and step into a new season of joy, margin, and answered prayers of family living nearby. Thank you, Lord, for Mr. Bob, this good man of mine.

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him” Matthew 12:35a