We Still Do

With laughter and love together we have found a friendship, raised a family and built a beautiful marriage.

How Thula Met Michael: We met in high school. Before graduation my family moved to Chicago IL. Michael joined the Army. Years later on a spring day in April. I visited my aunt and cousins in West Memphis, AR. As fate would have it there was Michael. He still had that BIG personality and ability to bring a smile to my face. I knew there was something everlasting about this man; something about him that caused butterflies and made me want to know more. Slowly we became familiar and formed a relationship. We had so much in common. We enjoyed dinners, movies, and concerts as well as music, dancing and a shared love for God. I found him to be a praying man, kneeling and asking me to kneel with him. He'd pray for us and our families. This truly impressed me. Michael planned our first 4th of July together. He asked if I would walk across the bridge with him to watch fireworks. I was kind of reluctant, but I said,”yes”. I wanted to look my best. Manicure, pedicure and hair styled to perfection. Wearing size 3 white jeans, a pink blouse and new sandals. THIS GIRL WAS READY! Michael arrived on time. We drove to the bridge. Myself, being the observant person. I noticed clouds starting to form. Michael assured me it wasn’t going to rain. Against my better judgment, or perhaps I had forgotten Michael wasn’t a Meteorologist, We began our 4th of July Night. Just as we arrived at the bridge. The sky opened. I thought I would drown. Everyone was running. I was too cute. I was hurt and angry that he'd had me get all beautiful and wet. Michael drove me home and I asked him to leave. Fourteen days later on my birthday, July 18th, he asked Will You Marry Me? Michael told me when he saw the look on my face that rainy night. He knew I was his wife. I said YES! One year of the date we initially met at my Sweet aunt Thelma Turner’s home, we were married. Thirty-Five years later to the date we are reaffirming our wedding vows and making a commitment until death do us part.