In Rhythm with Ava Collier

A Signature Love

The Rikards are the owners of Primerica/Dreamscapers Unlimited located in Decatur, Georgia and have been in business together for several years. Primerica is an organization that teaches and educates ordinary people about the extraordinary business of managing their money. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina Harry says he’s been in Georgia for about 14 years. “I got captured by a Georgia Peach!” Harry laughs. Harry and Racine say they met each other while working together with Primerica in the 90’s. “He was dating someone at the time and I was a trainer. I became his accountant and got to see his financial records,” Georgia native Racine jokes. Harry laughs and says, “Yeah, I had to qualify financially!” Married four years now, she says they were good friends at first. “He told me that he started seeing me differently; his eyes started shining and they glazed over.” They both laugh now. “I asked him out finally and he was surprised. We went out to the movies and had a good time, but he didn’t call me for a week!” She admits that she thought he didn’t like her. Then after a week, she received a lovely gift from Harry. “He sent me a gift box from Crabtree and Evelyn with a dinner invitation. The box had perfume, candles, powder and bath gels.” She says she and Harry went to dinner that evening and he surprised her once again. “I took her to Agatha Christie’s Dinner Theatre,” Harry shared. “That’s a signature technique right there that I really didn’t want to expose!” he laughs and so do Racine and I. I told Harry that since he’s now happily married, he is obligated to pass on successful “signature” moves to other men. He good naturedly agreed. Okay, men, Harry’s signature move is now public record…no more excuses!

Harry stated that he chose Agatha Christie’s because he wanted to take her into an environment that was interactive and see how she mixed and mingled. “I was looking for a mate by that time in my life and I wanted to see how she’d do. Now, I don’t know anything about the glazed look in my eyes; that’s her version of the story.” Harry says that there was a connection the first time he saw Racine even though he was seeing someone else. “I never knew it would turn into marriage years later.” Racine says they took things slow. “Then on New Years 2001 my mom passed. That was a transition because I know God puts things in place for a reason. Harry really helped me get through that period. ” Racine admits that she is not a very emotional person but it was during the death of her mother that Harry saw those emotions for the first time. “My mom had met him before she died and was checking him out for me. I believe that she affirmed him before she died. My father and my family love him. I love the bond between Harry and my dad and I’m very close to my dad.”

Harry says his own mother is special to him so it was easy to put himself into her shoes and be supportive. “Losing a parent would definitely be hard. I moved into the role of companion and solidified myself as someone who wanted her in my life forever.”

Harry takes this sentimental moment and turns it around as he offers prospective husbands another bit of “signature” advise. He and Racine were married the day before her birthday. “That’s another move that I need to share with the younger men out there who are thinking about marriage…keep the anniversary date around the birthday…it’s easier to remember!” They both agreed that it’s important to have time to themselves in order to keep them better for one another. “I spend my time away in doing various things,” says Racine. “I may go out to eat or go to the mall or get my hair and nails done or when I go spend time with my dad. Those are the times I cherish and relax. When I am away from Harry, it’s my time to re-energize so when I do come back to him, I’m even better as a wife.” Harry agreed that occasional time away is important. “I’m an only child and I like companionship. You have to like and love your mate. I’m pretty easy…something as simple as a separate ride into the office is a recharge to me. Sometimes when Racine and I are together, she likes the radio on. I need quiet to think and strategize. At home, if she’s watching TV and I’m not interested, I make a typical man move…I go to sleep!” he laughs.

I asked them each to share something that they now know about each other that they hadn’t known prior to getting married. Harry stated, “I didn’t realize that Racine was such a good nurturer and homemaker. I married her not knowing she had those skills. Since we’ve been married, she’s kicked it up a notch!” He laughs again. “I was pleasantly surprised and she is a good cook like my mom is.” Racine says, “I didn’t realize that Harry had fear. I always thought that Harry had all the answers. I realized that he didn’t and I was surprised. I always thought he had everything mapped out and planned. I don’t think less of him at all. It just made me realize that he’s human. He’s not superman, but he’s MY superman.”

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