Love Letters - Our readers share their thoughts about those special to them

To the glue that holds it all together

Many years ago, when we moved away from my hometown, a tradition ended. Every Friday night, we always had dinner with a group of our friends.

Not long after we left, one of those friends told Shanna that the group wasn’t getting together any more.

“You were the glue,” she told my wife. “You held us all together.”

It has been a little bit of a running joke ever since. But, like all good humor, it’s firmly based in truth.

I’m probably the face of Johnston Now magazine. I’ve been lucky enough to cover the ACC, two U.S, Opens, a Davis Cup tie and more high school games than I care to count. I’ve written some pretty good stuff over the years, and I’ve made a little bit of a name for myself.

None of it would have happened without my wife.

From her willingness to endure my wacky schedule in Shelby, to her cheerfully moving around the Carolinas with me and, most importantly, simply putting up with me for the last 21 years.

This magazine was her idea. She planned it out, went out and sold an idea to potential advertisers and talked people into believing that we weren’t some fly-by-night company planning to put out a lousy product.

She went back to work for a while, when we were forced to change our plans for what was then known as the Four Oaks Journal. She cashed in her 401K, like I did, and made a bet on us being able to take the magazine county wide.

She’s the brains behind this operation. She keeps the books, and she’s still the best media salesperson I’ve ever seen.

And even if none of that stuff were true, she’s an amazing mother. She’s also the best wife a guy could ask for.

I’m a lucky guy, and I’m happy to be “stuck” with you.

Love, Randy

Sharing love for a family

When considering writing my Love Letter, I was filled with complete gratitude. I am surrounded by great love and support in a way many people only imagine.

Randy, you make all my dreams come true. In a world that can be scary and overwhelming, you are my sanctuary. You are my partner in every way, and I will continue to choose you every day for the rest of my life. I love you.

Ethan, you are our greatest gift. I have watched you grow into an incredible man, and I’ve enjoyed every stage. You have overcome every adversity you’ve faced and still manage to be kind, loving and thoughtful. I am so proud to be your mother. I love you.

Mom and Dad, you taught me everything I know. It is because of your love, support and encouragement that I have this amazing life. You raised me to be kind over all else, work harder than anyone in the room and value time and experiences over any material thing. I love you.

To all those in my life that space won’t allow me to name, you know who you are. And, I love you.

All my love,

Shanna Capps

A note for the perfect partner

Dear Jonathan, I’ve loved you almost as long as I’ve known you. There are things I’ve never doubted, in good times or bad, sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. You are my forever and always.

You are my gift from God. You are my best friend. You are an incredible father, provider, husband and my own personal comedian.

You make me laugh, even when I don’t want to. You take me just as I am, and I will be forever thankful for being blessed by your commitment to our life, love and family.

Happy Valentines Day!

Love, Rachel (Kennedy)

A mother’s love for her sons knows no bounds

To Braeyln and Rylen Blanchard, you are the great loves of my life. Today you are my little boys, but one day you will grow into young men.

As you grow you will experience great love and loss. There will be times to celebrate and times to cry.

Life is not about winning, but what you learn along the way. Never stop believing in yourself, you are capable of accomplishing anything you put your mind to. I will try respect the decisions you make as they will be your own.

But there will be times when you will have to understand that to me no matter how old you get you will always be my little boys.

The day will come when I can no longer carry you in my arms, but you will always be carried in my heart. Always look to one another for love, understanding and support. I may not be here the rest of your days so you will need each other.

But never forget I will love you for the rest of my days.

Love Mommy (Kelly Blanchard)

Aww, we’re blushing

I lived in Wayne county all my life until August 2018. Then I moved to Johnston County. When I saw a magazine that would tell me all about Johnston County and it was FREE, I had to grab a copy.

Now a little over two years later, I have to tell you, I’m in love with your magazine!

I look forward to each new edition. From your magazine I have found: great places to eat, places to explore, all types of interesting shops and learned about people from all walks of life! The calendar included in each issue informs me of what is going on and when. I read it from cover to cover.

This month has to be one of my favorites. I found out in this issue I could go back and read articles in past issues that I missed. And boy did I! I went back to 2015 and read and read!

Unfortunately, I didn’t see the invitation to write a love letter until Jan. 8. One day after the deadline. But that’s OK.

This letter is to the editor and his staff. I love your magazine! But when I read you are thinking virtual, I have to tell you I am extremely disappointed to say the least.

Even though I did go back to 2015 and read them online, I like holding a magazine in my hands. I will be sorely disappointed if future issues are only online.

Nevertheless, I do want to thank you for all the work you do to publish this magazine.

Love, a devoted reader, Betty Clarke.

Editor’s note: While we are dipping our toes into the world of digital marketing, there are no current plans for us to stop producing a printed magazine. Thank you so much for the kind words.

A little kindness goes a long way

I’d like to send a love letter to my best friend, Joel Morrison, who I met over seven years ago at Austin Manor. I was thinking suicidal thoughts and felt I lost my best friend. Which I had throughout the years — being home-bound.

He stepped up to be my “Driving Ms. Moody,” listening post and all-around caregiver and bodyguard (like Kevin Costner to Whitney).

He could play the part in “Touched by an Angel” in a Della Reese reboot.

Love, Mary Moody, alias Minnie Pearl

An appreciation for a devoted husband

This is my love letter to my husband. I moved to North Carolina from Ohio to finish graduate school, but fell in love with a southern gentleman so I decided to stay!

I never thought I would end up here in Johnston County, but God has truly placed me where I am supposed to be.

I admire Jordan more than he knows. He works about 50 to 60 hours every week in his full-time job, but also is finishing his MBA degree. He is the smartest and hardest working person I know (and also an amazing cook!)

In his “free time,” he is also outside on the tractor working at our house. After working in Raleigh for four years, we realized that there was a need for my specialty in our own community. Jordan played a vital role in helping me start my own practice on top of everything else in his life and even comes to help at the clinic on his days off from his full time job.

This is just as much a love letter as it is a thank you card. I had been so independent for so long but, looking back, I see why God placed this man in my life. I am truly grateful and want to place him in the spotlight for once (even though he would be very embarrassed!)

Love, Dr. Kathleen Coates