Carrying Heaven.
Dear Lee,
Our students ask us all the time…
“Why are you even here?”
“Why would you work at this school?”
“Why would you choose us?”
And if they don’t always say it out loud—you can see it in their eyes.
The wondering.
The ache to matter.
And we smile—because they have no idea what a loaded, holy, and beautiful question that really is.
But we do.
We know the why.
Because God called us.
Because they need help.
Because we needed help once, too.
Because when He whispered, we both said yes—without needing to know the whole plan. Just enough to take the next step, together.
Watching you follow God has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. You don’t chase titles. You don’t measure your worth by accomplishments or credentials. You simply serve—because that’s who you are.
You carry the joy of the Lord into the hardest spaces.
You love the kids others have given up on.
You lead with laughter, with grit, with gentleness, and so much grace.
We always keep it simple:
Love God.
Love your family.
Love your city.
Help the next generation live into those values.
And now we get to do that together—every single day.
One of the things I admire most is how you live out the same calling in three very different places: coaching, at work, and at church.
You don't wear a different hat in each one. You bring the same steady, surrendered, joy-filled heart into every space.
It’s not three roles—it’s one mission. One God. One heartbeat. One burden:
To stand in the gap for the next generation.
No spotlight. No ego. Just presence.
Just love.
Just consistent obedience that has heaven’s attention.
And even in all that—what I treasure most is that you never forget what comes first.
You constantly remind me that our first ministry is our marriage.
That raising our family in truth and transparency matters more than any title—always has, always will.
That the honest way we live behind closed doors speaks louder than anything we do in public.
You walk the truth that marriage is covenant—not convenience.
And that honesty, even when it’s messy or painful, is always worth it.
We don’t hide from each other.
We struggle together.
We pray together.
We carry the load together.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” — 1 Peter 5:10
I also want to say—thank you for the boldness it took to walk away from a 21-year career. You left behind what was safe and familiar—not because you had all the answers, but because you trusted the whisper of God more than your own comfort. That kind of obedience is rare. It’s brave. And it’s building a legacy our children will never forget.
Sometimes I wonder… Can you imagine how different your life might’ve turned out if someone like you had stood in the gap for you in middle school?
Someone who loved the brokenness you came from, but also spoke boldly to the man you were becoming?
Someone who offered course correction wrapped in compassion?
You’re that person now.
That safe place.
That truth-teller.
That steady presence.
Every time you walk through those school doors, you carry heaven with you.
And while we’re talking legacy… I just want to pause and thank you for the way you “dad.”
You show up in the details.
You know their favorites.
You do the pep talks and the hard talks.
You’re present.
You’re playful.
You’re protective.
You’re prayerful.
You discipline with love.
You guide with gentleness.
You model the kind of manhood our boys can follow, and our daughter will never settle beneath.
Our kids will never have to wonder what a good man looks like.
They’re growing up watching one every single day.
And when the world watches—when it shines its spotlight on marriage and family, trying to figure out what’s real and what lasts—you don’t waver.
You stay.
You serve.
You lead.
You love.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when it’s quiet.
Even when no one else sees it but me and Jesus.
So thank you.
Thank you for loving me when I’m tired.
Thank you for believing in our calling even when it costs.
Thank you for modeling manhood and fatherhood.
You are the reason I know that Trust is more than a word.
It’s a way of life.
I’m proud of you.
I’m with you.
And I’m still saying yes, too.
Happy 15th Anniversary, babe.
Forever and Always,
SP
