BOBBY GOT A SUMMER JOB IN GEORGETOWN and saved money
to buy Lisa an engagement ring. He proposed on July 4, 1989. “He got down on
one knee on the dock at my favorite place in the world, our family vacation home
on Black River. He is very seldom serious, so I thought he was playing. When I
realized he meant it, I said ‘Yes!’” When the big day arrived, Lisa had some jitters.
“It was a large wedding and being in a fancy dress made me nervous. But, when
I saw him, I felt confident that we were going to have a great life together.” Bobby
jokes, “This June will be our 26th anniversary, and she has only forgotten one
so far!”
He continues, “My favorite quality about Lisa is her huge heart. She is very
giving and caring.” Bobby is also very giving, often sacrificing what he wants to
make Lisa happy. “True love is being willing to give more than you receive, and
my husband does this daily. He is always listening and planning, even though he
“True love
IS BEING WILLING
TO GIVE MORE
THAN YOU RECEIVE”
pretends not to hear a lot of what I am saying. It may take years to make them
happen; but, when I least expect it, they do. For instance, he surprised me with a
Bobby currently coaches softball, and Lisa was a basketball coach for 20 years.
puppy after seeing a picture I left up on the computer in the classroom. I thought
“I feel that both of us sharing the same love and passion for coaching and sports
I was getting a new SUV and, when the back opened, there was the puppy. I once
makes our marriage work,” says Lisa. “Never call during games or practices, un-
saw a bracelet in an advertisement and said how much I liked it. It took two years,
less it’s a life-or-death situation. Don’t talk to the other person after a loss; only
but he saved and gave it to me for Christmas.”
time makes it less painful! Don’t question a call or coaching strategy that your
For the past nine years, Bobby and Lisa have shared a classroom at South
spouse used that failed (for at least a month). It’s more important for your hus-
Florence High School. When asked what that experience has been like, Lisa says,
band to go watch someone else’s child play recreational ball than to spend time
“It was a struggle at first, but once he learned that 95% of the room is mine and
at home doing your honey-do list. You understand why your wife leaves you a
the other 5% is his, things have gone very smoothly.” Bobby adds, “We have
day after shoulder surgery when you can’t drive, cook, or change your shirt be-
very different teaching styles. I like to joke around a lot and have a laid-back ap-
cause she has a three-day basketball tournament. And, the best time to tell him
proach. She is more regimented.” There are other differences within their per-
you spent $400 on a homeless rescue kitten is right after a big win in the playoffs
sonal relationship. Lisa shares, “He purchases one pair of shoes a year. I think
or after beating West Florence!”
anytime I find a pair I like is a good time! I am a die-hard Clemson fan and he is a
Lisa continues, “I don’t mind that he puts a lot of time into coaching softball
Carolina fan. (He pretended to like Clemson at first, b ut I figured it out when we
or being away for sports camp. We give each other freedom to do the things we
were at the game and Clemson won. He wasn’t happy. This may have been a deal
both love, sometimes together and sometimes apart. I spend a lot of time play-
breaker if I had known sooner!) He arrives at school an hour early. I have it timed
ing league tennis with a great group of ladies here at the Florence Tennis Center.
to arrive just before the bell. He balances the checkbook daily and I don’t see a
Bobby allows me to have ‘girl time’ with my best friend, Mo, and often surprises
need. I figure the bank will let me know when I am out… and they have on oc-
us with awesome tickets to concerts.”
casion! I love the water and grew up on Black River. He doesn’t really know how
All in all, their ability to give and take is what makes this marriage so success-
to swim, although he snorkels and does water sports because I beg. His idea of
ful. “We try to live every day to the fullest. We credit our families who raised us
perfect relaxation is in the recliner watching sports. My idea is going out boating,
to have faith in God, to respect people, and to be honest, and our close circle of
fishing, or playing tennis.”
friends who share the same values and beliefs that we do.”
Bobby and Lisa Jones reside in Florence, South Carolina, with their two dogs and a cat. They both teach Driver Education at South Florence High School,
where Bobby is head softball coach. Lisa coached basketball for 20 years and now loves to participate in sports and to support the Bruins’ teams.
SHEMAGAZINE.COM FEBUARY 2016
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