Aimee’s Story

Yes, I’m Aimee’s husband. But for the next few paragraphs, I’m going to step away from that role and tell you about Aimee – my sister. You’ll see why in a moment.

Aimee grew up with her grandparents. So when I met her, it was like stepping into another world. Usually, a man my age meets a girl from the 70s. I met one from the 50s. Truly, the way Grandma literally raked that shag carpet (to get the knap going all one direction) is something I’ll never forget.

Why was Aimee in this situation? She and her twin sister, Jennie, were the (wonderful) result of two young people, not thinking clearly, never married, and unable to care for two young girls. Gratefully, Grandma and Grandpa stepped in.

Aimee’s upbringing was quiet and modest. She grew up in a loving home, though the communication patterns of a now bygone era often lacked a certain depth. She attended a Baptist Church. And it was there, at Northwest Church, during a children’s summer camp when Aimee met Jesus.

I met Aimee at Fresno State. She was 19. I was 20. We were married a couple years later – and she’s continued in quietness and modesty. But something along the way transformed her. Some mix of a 50s past coupled with a quiet faith and much hardship has done something inside her that’s on par with the Mary I read about in the Bible.

Because I musn’t go on forever, her upbringing in tandem with severe scoliosis, missionary life in the Philippines, two church plants, and years of financial hardship while I ran after a “calling,” there’s just something about Aimee that makes a person think If the Father were to choose a vessel for His Son today, this might be it.

All that to say, the woman behind our children’s books is the kind of woman you’d want behind children’s books. Humble. Gentle. Happy. A product of endurance and trust. It showed up not long ago as we were singing to Yahweh with our fellow believers. As I stood by her, I could hear an indescribable authenticity to the words All my life you have been faithful.

And it was in that moment, more poignantly than ever, when my wife was my sister – a sister in Messiah – a sister I look up to, for I have much to learn from her.

May Aimee bless your life in the same way she has mine.