It was a sunny afternoon in October of 1978 in the cafeteria at International Bible College, San Antonio, TX. She stood at the sign in board for the weekend meals. I approached with a cockiness that can only be honed by being a preachers kid. The obvious question was, "will you go out with me? The unexpected answer was, "leave me alone, you just a freshman." It was those words that sealed her fate. That day I began the tactics that only could be found in, "The Art of War."
Daily, I was waiting outside the girls dorm to walk her to class. Daily I waited outside of her classroom to walk her to lunch. Daily she ignored me. Daily I waited as she returned from work. Daily she ignored me. Get the point? I didn't, I was on a mission. Stephanie Byars worked a few nights in the school library, I studied more than 4 years of high school and definitely more than the year of failure at the University of N.C. at Asheville, N.C.
All I can say is that persistent pays off. My quick wit...did not win her. My jokes...did not win her. My looks did not win her...well maybe a little? What won the love of my life was persistence and the fact that I told everyone on campus she was mine and off limits to anyone else. August 18, 1979 we were married and began our life together. 34 years later, two kids...Lindsey Joy and Justin Andrew and two grandsons...Jack Preston and Leo Garner Young, we are that happiest people ever.
Through all the years Steph has been my helpmeet. Through times of blessing and times of failure, she has stood strong. In times that I failed and sinned she has stood and faced the demons of hell and said..."you cannot take my man." If there was ever a person that deserved better, it is her. If there was ever one that deserved less, it was me. But God, in his ever increasing love and favor has allowed me to be in union with the best woman ever to walk this earth.
Marriage is a covenant that has kept me from hell, and I honor my wife, Stephanie Byars Garner today. Sweets, you are the best, and I will be at your side till Christ's calls us home. Remember, you had me at..."leave me alone."
Your Man Max!
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