Daryl and Connie Ferguson

By Lisa M. Flint

Married on July 3, 1985, Daryl and Connie Ferguson will be celebrating their Silver anniversary. It has been 25 years of nothing but total happiness. Daryl and Connie are both Columbus, Ohio natives. Daryl, the son of Claude and Regina Ferguson and Connie, the daughter of William and Vickie Bowie, have two children, Darryl and Ashe.

Daryl and Connie were high school sweethearts and married young. Darryl joined the Armed Services while Connie was a devoted mother and wife and remained in Columbus, Ohio raising the children. Building their careers and dreams as one, Darryl obtained a “Class A” CDL license and has a long career as a truck driver. Connie realized her dream as a caterer and started her own company, Red Carpet Party & Event Planners.

They have devoted their lives to their children and families. Everyone who meets them have nothing but kind words. Connie enjoys planning dinners and parties at their home at least once a month. She loves to see everyone together, happy and enjoying themselves with smiles on their faces. Her true passion is cooking and her idol is Patti Labelle. Connie is a true diva with a kind and loving husband. They truly compliment each other. We wish them continued happiness as they celebrate their life together after twenty five years of marriage.

To contact Red Carpet Party & Event Planners, please call:

Constance Ferguson

614- 206-2566

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.”

Contact info: dreamscapersunlimited@gmail.com Or call for an appointment at 770-987-4507

By Ava Simone Collier

Ron Stokes is the owner of Three Leaf Productions. His wife, Lavita, is the author of A Father’s Love and she also works with him at the office. Together they manage a thriving business, have four children, Laurel, 22, Amber, 19, Ron, Jr., 14 and Sydney, 13 and still manage to have a loving marriage. When I asked him how he makes it work, he explained that mentors are an important part of being successful professionally and personally. “The one thing as I relate to my marriage is that I have an understanding of my goals. I go back to my wedding vows to provide and protect. That’s my number one goal. I have people who I mentor with who have solid marriages who help me to understand what it takes to be a good husband to my wife. These mentors in my life set great examples for me and I follow them.”

“Although we take family vacations,” adds Lavita, “Ronnie and I do our getaways; just the two of us so that we can regroup and take care of one another. We get busy with taking care of our children and the business and sometimes you fall short and forget about yourselves. We do ‘date nights,’ we go to the movies and dinner. We understand that in order to make it work, we have to continue to care about each other.” They both agreed that long term relationships take a lot of work. Ron and Lavita have known each other since Kindergarten, began dating in high school and have been married for 22 years. “We also have things that we do individually,” says Lavita. “I have dinner with my girlfriends, he’ll be in the basement in his ‘man cave,’ or I’ll be upstairs watching T V. We still know how to come back as a couple.” Ron spoke about what is necessary to keep the love alive. “You have to do the things that you did when you were first dating. When you’re going after the lady that you desire and want, you buy her flowers, write notes, poems and take her out to nice restaurants. Why should it stop once you get married? Continue to do those things that you did when you first fell in love.”

I wanted to know how they handled any disagreements that may come up between them at the office. Lavita laughs when she shares that she sometimes tells him to stay out of her office. “I know what my role is so let me do my thing.” She says. “We meet when necessary but when we get home, we don’t bring the work with us. It’s about knowing our roles, both at home and at the office.” Ron adds, “Many people say they couldn’t work with their spouse. It’s not easy but we learn to understand that we’re business owners and that our professional and personal goals are the same even though we may look at things differently on how to get there. It’s not always easy, but it’s fun going through the journey.”

By Ava Simone Collier

Arnice says that when she was offered the chance to work in a dialysis unit, she was initially apprehensive and hesitant, but she prayed it about and accepted the position. “I knew that it was God ordained. Instantly, I fell in love with the science of dialysis and also with the clientele. You develop a rapport with them. You look at them and can tell when they’re not feeling well and get to know their family members. It’s not just a job for me, it’s a ministry.”

When deciding what type of business to establish, Arnice Llewellyn, a Registered Nurse and the owner of My Father’s House Dialysis Care Facility, said, “We knew it would be Christ based.” She spoke enthusiastically about her dialysis facility, “In the dialysis business, which I’m so familiar with, there is a personal piece that is missing in the larger chains that will be intact in My Father’s House. We plan to have live music in our lobby from musicians who want to volunteer. We will show love.” She further stated, “Everyday is not easy. When people come through our doors for dialysis, three times a week, 4 hours each time, that is a choice to live. We want to make it as enjoyable as we can.”

Eric Llewellyn is the Marketing Director for My Father’s House Dialysis Care Facility and Arnice’s husband of four years. Eric is also a chef and a Deacon in their church. When asked what it would be like working together and being married, Arnice stated “I think it will be absolutely amazing! My husband is such a quiet strength and I’ve learned to follow his lead. He is humble and analytical. He’s the headship over my life and I know he has our family’s best interest at heart.”

Eric jokes about his wife’s initial idea on a joint business venture. “She wanted to open up a Christian bank. I sat back and listened. I didn’t know anything about banking and neither did she. I’m good with numbers and I’m a people person.” Eric states he asked, “Why would we go into banking especially when so many were failing?” He laughs as he recalls later saying, “Thank God she took that job at the Dialysis center!” Eric used to own a small pizza shop for a couple of years. “I’m good at meeting people and you get to know a lot of people when you own a pizza shop!”

The Llewellyns agree that it takes Christ, mutual love and understanding of each other to keep a happy balance. “We go on dates, he loves to cook and I love to eat. We try to stay in love and flirt and have fun with each. Learn to say ‘I’m sorry’ and disagree without being rude or disrespectful. It’s worth the effort,” says Arnice.

My Father’s House Dialysis Care Facility is scheduled to open later in 2010. For more information on investment and partnership opportunities, please call 330-309-2605 or email at mydiaylis@yahoo.com