G.Todd & Diane Taylor MARRIED 16 YEARS
LASTING LOVE SPOTLIGHT
How did you meet? We met at a jazz club named Jazz in the City in Greenville during Thanksgiving weekend in 2003. When did you get married? We had a destination wedding. We married on Nov. 12, 2005, at Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica with 100 of our family and friends as witnesses. At that time, it was the largest destination wedding that resort had. What was your favorite moment of your wedding? DIANE: It was an absolute perfect day, but my favorite part was walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing G smile and wait patiently for me to join him. G. TODD: I’ll never forget the moment I saw her walking down the aisle. It all hit me at once. She was absolutely beautiful, and I knew what was about to happen and was so at peace and comfortable with my decision. This person being presented to me, the woman I chose, was going to be my forever love partner. Tell us about your family now: We are the proud parents of two amazing children, Morgan Elizabeth,12, and Garrett M. Jr., 10. We are also grateful for our family dog Rakim (Rock). What is the best part about being married? DIANE: The best part of being married is having someone on the planet that knows me, understands me and loves me in spite of my flaws. Someone committed to helping me be the best version of myself. Someone committed to providing and protecting me. Someone to share wins and disappointments with. Someone to plan and execute with. G. TODD: The best part of marriage is having somebody there that always has my back. She provides never ending love and support. We are there for each other. We are there to counsel, to console, to create, to encourage and to love. What is the secret to a lasting and successful marriage? DIANE: The secret to a lasting and successful marriage is to practice the art of forgiveness every day. It’s impossible to be married and not eventually offend the person you’ve promised to love forever. However, the offense should not win. The forgiveness of the offense allows you to continue to grow together and create a strong foundation that will not falter. G. TODD: The secret to a lasting and successful marriage is definitely communication. Absolutely nothing works until you can figure out how to get through things and talk about them as they happen. Effective communication isn’t just what you say, but how you say it. If you could give newly married couples a few words of advice, what would that be? DIANE: My advice to a newly married couple is to remember to be friends, practice forgiving your spouse, continue to date, communicate and maintain intimacy. G. TODD: Ignore social media. Ignore standards and outside influences imposed on your relationship. No two marriages are alike; find what works for the two of you. Expect change because that’s the only constant. Be willing to learn about each other every day. People evolve, so never forget what’s behind the commitment. You both came together to create a better life for you both and your family for generations to come. Don’t forget your mission.
www.reflector.com/her
Her — February 2022
13
