LOVE feature
Story by Ashley Elvington • Photography by Laura McBryde
ONE MONTH LATER, Phil arrived in Murrells Inlet. “That’s when I knew he
was the one. We started planning our life together the next day after his arrival.”
She was surprised at the connection that quickly formed between them. “It was
crazy how everything he liked, I liked, and how we were so compatible in that moment of time. But, it was so real and felt so right.” Phil and Debbie married the
next year in September 1997. “For us, it was the best day of our lives. I was marrying the man who completes me, I couldn’t imagine my life with another person. It
was a sweet ceremony with Phil’s father, who was a minister, conducting the ceremony. It was perfect. I remember seeing his father tear up during the ceremony
and I knew he loved me just like a daughter.” Phil adds, “I was proud that Debbie
was going to be my wife. I couldn’t wait to enjoy the day and many days like that
together.” While it was an emotional moment in their lives, Phil provided a brief
sense of comic relief. “His tongue got twisted! When his father asked him to repeat
‘With this ring,’ he started sounding like Daffy Duck, stating, ‘With this wing…’ Everyone was laughing.” According to Debbie, every day with Phil is just as fun and
memorable as that special one.
When they were dating, Debbie was surprised by everything Phil wanted to do
for her. Almost 19 years later, that hasn’t changed. “When we were friends, a girl
Phil was dating told me that she thought she was going to end it with him because
he was ‘too much of a Southern gentleman.’ She was from California, so I guess
him being a gentleman was not up to her liking. Sad for her, but great for me in the
years to come! I have never had to pump gas in my car, dinner is ready when I get
home from work if we don’t have plans to go out, and Phil goes grocery shopping.
When I try to help, he’ll say, ‘You just sit there and look pretty.’ Phil is just like his
father in how he treated his wife like a queen before he passed away several years
ago. They were married for 57 ye ars. Phil paid close attention to their lives and
has that deeply engrained into his soul. When I first met his parents, I thought, ‘I
am watching reruns of some old sappy, happy family movie.’ When it became my
movie, I was quite happy to be in the starring role. Phil is caring, compassionate…
A selfless, great provider who loves his family and friends. I am not boasting by any
means, but this is truly how Phil is made.” If you ask Phil to describe Debbie, the
first word that comes to mind is genuine. “I have learned what true love is through
Debbie’s actions of support, regardless of the situation. Actions do speak louder
than words. Her presence in my life has made me a better person. Because of Debbie, I believe that marriage can last forever.”
She admits that even after all this time, they have yet to argue. “We agree to disagree. We never go to
bed without saying ‘I love you’ and sharing a goodnight kiss. Life is too short and we don’t want to waste
any time.” One of the secrets to their staying power is being best friends first and foremost. “You know you
are loved when you can complete one another’s sentences and you buy each other the same Christmas
presents. God has a plan for everyone’s life. We try to do things our way, which never works because everything happens for a reason. We truly believe God wanted our years together to be the very best.” They are
curious, however, as to why it took so long for their hearts to be joined as one. Although they know that
everything happens in His own perfect timing, Debbie jokes that they one day plan on asking God about
that when they arrive in Heaven. As for now, they anticipate their future so they can grow old together,
continue to travel and create memorable moments.
On days when the couple travels, each longs to be reunited with the other. “We were both going to a
trade show in Vegas and I arrived days earlier than Phil. He was supposed to be coming in on a Saturday
from Chicago around midnight, so it was going to be a long day of waiting on him. Early on Saturday morning, I was sitting with a group of friends, missing him and wishing he was already there. All of a sudden,
there he is, walking as fast as he could towards me… He reminded me of the last scene in Pretty Woman
when Richard Gere was coming after Julia Roberts. Phil caught a red eye flight just so he could be with me.
He always puts me first before anything or anyone.” During down time, they enjoy shag dancing, watching
movies and football games, entertaining guests, and sitting poolside at the Edwards’ stay-cation home.
For Debbie and Phil, every day is an adventure best spent together. “I know that Phil will always be here
for me and that I will always be safe. Most importantly, I know that I will always be loved. I have never been
loved the way this man loves me.”
Although she never expected to fall in love again, Debbie is sure of one thing - she’s changed woman.
And, it’s all because of Phil. “I thank him for literally saving my life and changing my hard heart. I am now
able to trust again, I feel so safe and secure, so loved and admired. Sometimes I catch myself tearing up
over all of our memories together and become overjoyed with excitement, as if it was the first date all over
again. Just ask anyone who knows Phil, they will tell you he is a keeper. My girlfriends say to me, ‘Debbie,
just know when you leave this world, I will be on the front row waiting in line for Phil.’ We all laugh about
it, but honestly when I do leave this world, I want Phil to find someone who will love him as much as I do.
Thank you, Phil, for treating me like a Queen… Not for just one day, but every day.”
Phil and Debbie Edwards reside in Florence, South Carolina. He is a purchasing agent at McLeod Regional Medical Center and she is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Methodist Manor.
They have four godchildren: Amy Edmund, Jason Rholetter, Hannah Grace and Ethan Rogers. They also have three chihuahua rescues: Little Bit, Peanut, and Star.
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FEBUARY 2016
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