Newlywed, established couples recount their love stories
Aubrey and Blaze Powers have been best friends since she was 7 and he was 9.
On Feb. 24, G.D. Phillips and his wife Woody will celebrate their 63rd year of marriage. They were in high school when they met.
Around the most romantic day of the year, both couples agreed to sit down with The Graham Star and offer their insight on how they met, the ups and downs – and of course, the secret to success in a marriage.
The Powers’
Fast forward 11 years from when the two became friends: Aubrey and Blaze Powers will be celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife.'
The two rekindled their childhood friendship last year and started spending time together as they did when they were young. It wasn’t long until they knew their friendship had blossomed into the real thing.
They were married on Nov. 18, after a three-month courtship. They will tell you that some were skeptical and said they were rushing things, but they knew they had what it took to make it work.
“Keeping God in the marriage is the key,” Aubrey said.
Blaze was quick to agree with his bride.
“Keep God, look to Him, trust each other,” Blaze added.
The couple shared some of the struggles of early marriage, such as being so young and learning to agree on things together as a team.
“Respect each other and learn to communicate and most important, never go to sleep mad at each other,” Aubrey advised. “Talk it out.”
“You have to have loyalty,” Blaze noted.
Aubrey’s favorite memory of dating Blaze was when he took her coon hunting. She had never hunted raccoons.
After her first hunt, she was hooked.
Hunting together has become a favorite hobby and she recently killed her first coon.
So, how will they spend their first Valentine’s Day as man and wife?
“I’m going to take her out to eat and then home to watch a movie,” Blaze revealed.
Young love is a beautiful thing. Aubrey and Blaze are wise beyond their 18 and 20 years, respectively.
By seeking God and allowing His guidance in their marriage, this is sure to be the first of many Valentine’s Days as Mr. and Mrs. Powers.
The Phillips’
G.D. Phillips recalls a friend, Jack Holder – who dated Woody’s cousin – telling him that Woody was interested and wanted to date him.
Woody recalls a different story. She was told by her cousin that there was a guy named G.D. who wanted to date her.
It was the perfect setup.
They were supposed to meet each other at a ballgame, and G.D. had a picture of her so he knew what she looked like. He was smitten. He decided if she was interested in dating, he would ask her out. He did and she agreed.
It didn’t take the two of them long to decide they belonged together. They married after five months of dating. They were still in high school at the time.
“I didn’t have a car, so I rode a white mule to the preacher’s house to ask him to marry us,” G.D. recalled. “We had a $5 wedding. We paid the preacher $3 and the license cost us $2, or vice versa.”
Woody and G.D. have created a beautiful life together. They feel very blessed to have been given such a love story. What advice does the well-established couple have for newlyweds today?
“Have Christ in the middle of your marriage,” G.D. responded. “He should be the glue that holds you together.”
As couples grow older, they take on different roles than they had as a young couple.
Today, the Phillips’ look after one another and feel very thankful for each day they have to spend together.
G.D. hasn’t decided what he will do for Woody this Valentine’s Day, but he always buys her flowers or a box of candy for special occasions.
As they approach their 63rd anniversary, there is no doubt they will celebrate with family and friends giving God the glory for bringing them together, and blessing them with such a wonderful marriage.