March 2026

Ah, March. It’s time to clean out those flower beds and reorganize the garage. Dig through the pantry for ancient relics (I’m looking at you, minced clams from 2018), load up the car with things we don’t use, clothes that don’t fit, and Christmas gifts we can’t regift - then drop them off at the Hope Center or the EARC.

Spring cleaning can be exhausting. So let me suggest one low-effort, high-yield activity to add to the list: Plant yourself on the couch and trim back the streaming services.

Somewhere along the way, our streaming lineup got a little overgrown. Is that one series on Paramount+ really worth the monthly cost? Peacock, haven’t been there in months - you’re outta here. NFL Sunday Ticket - just like the KC Chiefs, you didn’t make the cut.

Family plans. Don’t get me started. As empty-nesters, why were we still paying for the premium family plan when “the family” has gone off to college, graduated, and barely texts us back? (It’s fine, they don’t read my column).

Our biggest offender? Hulu Live. Letting go of streamed local seemed overwhelming until we bought an inexpensive antenna. Gone are the chrome rabbit ears of yesteryear; this little money saver is powerful, unobtrusive, and allows us to get all the Ogles and local programming we want to watch.

This digital nip and tuck put quite a few dollars back in our pocket, maybe for a cool vacation like the ones we see on Wheel of Fortune (which we watch for free now). Spring cleaning doesn’t always require gloves and garbage bags. Sometimes, all you need is a remote.

Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President

Oklahoma Teen Film Festival A Stage for Student Storytellers

By Taylor Bollinger

The future of Oklahoma’s film industry starts with students.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Megan Cox, assistant chair of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Central Oklahoma. “I’ve been sitting down with state representatives talking about how to grow this industry. It really starts with high school and college and workforce development.”

That vision is at the heart of the Oklahoma Teen Film Festival, now in its second year. The festival takes place on March 28 on UCO’s campus and is designed for teens ages 13 to 19 who attend school or homeschool anywhere in Oklahoma.

“This started as an idea I shared with my colleagues Milos Ajdinovic and Mark Scott,” Cox said. “We were running a film camp and realized a uniquely Oklahoman teen film festival was missing.”

The festival was built almost entirely by students. Cox’s strategic communications seniors designed the event from the ground up during a campaigns course, using deadCenter Film as a resource. Several students stayed on for independent study to help run the first festival, and a new group of seniors is leading the effort this year.

“The students change out every year, so there’s always trial and error,” Cox said. “Last year we had about 100 people, 20 film submissions, and screened eight films. This year, we expect to double in size.”

Film submissions cover categories including horror, comedy, drama, documentary, and microfilm, which is three minutes or less. Films must be under 15 minutes total.

“A lot of students shoot short documentaries or really creative horror films,” Cox said. “What’s special is that every student who submits gets feedback from industry judges who have actually worked in film.”

Even students who do not submit films can attend workshops on production, makeup, cinematography, animation, stopmotion, and screenwriting. “It’s all about making sure young people are heard and supported,” Cox said.

She credits deadCenter for helping make that possible. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without them,” she said. “Victor Caballero jumped right in, and their Teen Board will even come to speak at the festival.”

For Cox, the festival is also a window into UCO’s hands-on approach. “We’re smaller than some of the bigger schools, but you will know your professors, and they will know you,” she said.

The Floor is Lava - After a group of friends revisit their childhood hangout, they start playing a classic childhood game that turns into reality. A comedy short directed by Kyle Lincoln Pitcher.

Clandestine- Silvia, a young immigrant woman working as a university custodian, quietly harbors a deep creative passion. A drama directed by Gray Stringer.

Back Row (L to R): UCO students, Phoebe Hilliard, Lunden Foreman, Carlos Lira, Conner Mason, Jaxon Allen, and UCO faculty Milos Ajdinovic. Front Row (L to R): deadCenter Director of Education and Outreach, Victor Caballero, UCO faculty Mark Scott, Megan Cox, and Angel Mackey.

“We are deeply connected to the industry, and our students are prepared to walk into jobs when they leave.” Student organizers say that connection is what makes the event special.

“The best part of this event is that it’s reaching young filmmakers across the state,” said Phoebe Hilliard, a graduating senior serving as marketing and content creator. “The film community is growing every year, and it’s amazing to see future filmmakers want to be involved.”

Libbie Smith, a senior and event manager, said the festival feels personal. “It brings together two communities that shaped my path, deadCenter and UCO,” she said. “It creates a space where teens can see their work on screen and connect with the film community.”

Cox sees it as a preview of what’s coming. “There are future filmmakers here,” she said. “As Oklahoma continues to make room for film, these students are going to do great things.”

The festival will be held March 28, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets and full festival details are available at filmfreeway.com/ OklahomaTeenFilmFestival.

Defining the Downtown Food Scene

By Laura Beam

You can trace Downtown Edmond’s buzz straight to their bar stools, cozy nooks, and bustling cafes. Setting the table for Downtown’s resurgence in recent years, Robert Black and Lori Dickinson-Black began with a mission to give back to the community that had bolstered their families during life’s challenging moments. Their passion for paying it forward has fueled a new wave of “third spaces” considered the places to see and be seen that locals and visitors flock to daily. And they’re not finished yet!

But First, Coffee

Cafe Evoke is a defining presence in Downtown Edmond, serving as an anchor in the district’s vibrant revitalization. With an Australian-style service philosophy, it blends thirdwave coffee, exceptional food, and welcoming hospitality. Far beyond your traditional coffee shop, Cafe Evoke delights guests with expertly crafted coffee from some of the country’s best independent roasters. Proud Mary and Middle State beans fuel standout espresso drinks, while Twisted Tree Baking Company’s sourdough elevates toasts, artisan sandwiches, and breakfast favorites on a chef-driven menu. From the beloved Waffle Sandwich–a must-try on the menu–to French-style omelets and seasonal salads, every dish reflects quality and creativity. Enjoy the energy, the people, and the mood at this favorite Edmond spot–and don’t be surprised if you leave with some great new friends. Open from 7 am to 5 pm, Cafe Evoke is the place to gather, connect, and experience Edmond’s thriving food scene seven days a week. Visit 103 S. Broadway or cafeevoke.com.

Bakery Brilliance

Twisted Tree Baking Company is among the first of a new breed of elevated bakeries found in the OKC Metro area–and Edmond is lucky enough to be its home. Born of the need to provide fresh bread and pastries for Cafe Evoke, it has since evolved into a destination Viennoiserie bakery. Led by head baker and partner Kassie Joslin, whose country sourdough began at a local farmers market in Miami, Oklahoma, the bakery reflects family ownership alongside Robert and Lori and honors their grandmother’s kitchen legacy. Grandma Dee taught them not only to cook, but how to love others well through food—a signature mantra intertwined in both Cafe Evoke and Twisted Tree. Known for croissants, morning buns, cruffins, kuchen, honey oat bread, and sourdough cookies, everything is baked fresh daily. Twisted Tree Baking Company is open Monday through Saturday at 111 N. Broadway. Arriving early ensures the best selection. Visit twistedtreebakingcompany.com.

Coming Soon – Casually Awesome Mexican!

La Loba Cantina + Grill, the newest concept from the Blacks, opens March 3 in the Edmond Railyard, bringing an exciting new mood and menu to the downtown scene. It offers a chef-driven, Mexican-inspired dining experience that is “casually awesome,” as Lori and Robert describe it. Inspired by the flavors of Central, Coastal, and Southern Mexico, the menu highlights moles, vegetable-forward dishes, pomegranate guacamole, cilantro rice, and a ribeye with salsa brava and roasted bone marrow. Inventive margaritas, craft cocktails, and a curated tequila menu make a trip to the bar worthwhile. Named for the mythical She Wolf who restores life from old bones, La Loba is breathing vibrant new energy into Edmond’s evolving culinary landscape. Visit 23 W. 1st. St. at The Railyard beginning March 3. Visit lalobaedmond.com.

With so many excellent and varied dining options, Robert and Lori aren’t just serving downtown, they’re redefining it.

Account Executive, editor, and writer with experience in radio, newspaper and magazines. Interested in what Outlook can do for your business? Email laura@edmondoutlook.com.

A Sweet Sendoff for America’s Brave

By Amy Dee Stephens

Each Tuesday is a big day for Betty and Terrill Hulson, because they spend hours baking in their kitchen. Wednesday is an even bigger day, because they share their baked goods with America’s heroes, the military men and women flying in and out of Will Rogers World Airport.

In 2007, the YMCA Military Welcome Center opened at the airport to provide a relaxing waiting area for military members. Betty began her weekly shift shortly after the center opened, not realizing that she was beginning a volunteer tradition that would continue for nearly twenty years.

“It’s an honor to welcome these soldiers who serve our country. We have about 35,000 military visitors each year, which includes some veterans and family members--but about 85% of them are new recruits headed to Fort Sill for basic training,” Betty said. “They come from all over the world, and many of them are nervous about what they’ve signed up for. For some, it’s the first time they’ve ever flown.”

Betty and the other volunteers offer snacks and encouraging conversation to help the service members feel more comfortable during their airport wait. “They’ll eat, play games, or play guitar,” Betty said. “We try to make the Vietnam veterans feel extra special, because they were not welcomed home after the war.”

Betty has baked over 65,000 cookies for America's heroes

Betty decided it would be nice for the soldiers to have something homemade rather than just prepackaged food. “I baked a few dozen cookies, and they disappeared so fast that I committed to bringing them each week.”

What started as two dozen cookies has grown into six dozen cookies each week. She is now known as “The Cookie Lady” at the airport. Betty’s cookies are so well received by visitors that her home refrigerator is covered with thank you notes about her “wonderful,” “delicious,” “incredible” cookies.

“Did I mention that they are BIG cookies?” Betty asked. “They are four-inch cookies! My former boss called them ‘soldier-sized cookies.’ I make a dozen cookies with one batch of dough, not the 36 suggested by the recipe.”

Every week, Betty makes chocolate chip cookies, and she has a rotation of different flavors each week: oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snickerdoodles, and Scottish shortbread. “The Scottish shortbread are my favorites,” Betty said. “Although I could go the rest of my life without eating another cookie.”

After all, she has baked over 65,000 cookies!

Five years ago, Betty’s husband, Terrill, retired and became a volunteer at the Welcome Center, too. He decided his contribution would be brownies, so he now bakes two-and-ahalf dozen each week.

“My wonderful husband gets up early on Tuesday to make brownies. Then, he sets out all the ingredients I need, so I can start baking after he’s done,” Betty said. “Thankfully we have a big mixer and a double oven.”

In 2025, Betty was nominated for the KFOR-TV’s Pay It 4ward program and received $400 dollars. “You can buy a lot of chocolate chips with four hundred dollars!” Betty said. “It costs about $1,300 a year for ingredients, but that’s not much when you consider the sacrifices these young people make to serve our country.”

One of the thank you notes on the Hulson’s refrigerator summarizes the result of their baking labors: “The volunteers have been very kind to us all today. Without them, the last things we would have remembered before shipping out to basic or AIT training would be boredom, hunger, anxiety, and maybe even sleeping in an airport…

We have one last good memory to look back on.”

“That’s what motivates me to bake,” Betty said.

Rosey, A Most Unexpected Local Celebrity

By Taylor Bollinger

Doug Hooten did not set out to become “the skunk guy” of Edmond.

He manages construction and maintenance for the Oklahoma Historical Society, caring for historic sites across the state. At home, he already had a 13-year-old lab. Another big dog was not appealing, and cats were not his thing. So he did what most people would not think to do.

An Unlikely Pet

“I googled skunks for sale,” Hooten said, laughing. As a child, he remembered a neighbor who kept one as a pet. “I always wondered what it would be like to have a skunk,” he said. “I thought, how hard is it? What does it cost?”

After securing a wildlife license and placing a deposit with a USDA breeder, he waited four months. Then Rosey arrived. Eight pounds, descented, and full of personality. “They’re kind of a combination of a dog and a cat,” he said. “She uses a litter box. I built her a condo in the house with a nesting box. When I’m home, she’s just hanging out with me.”

Letting a Skunk Be a Skunk

In the summer, Rosey walks on a leash around their milelong neighborhood loop. She hunts for crickets and frogs, foraging the way a skunk would in the wild. “I let her have every opportunity to be a skunk,” Hooten said.

On days they cannot walk, he hides her food in a box of wood chips so she can forage for her food. Scrambled eggs are a favorite. So are broccoli, carrots, and cheese. It was an omelet, though, that launched what friends now call the “Rosey Breakfast Club.”

The Rise of the Rosey Breakfast Club

“I was sitting at Around the Corner one day watching people walk their dogs,” he said. “I thought, what if I walked my skunk?” The idea stayed with him. So the next time he visited the café, he brought her along and he ordered her an omelet, and they enjoyed their breakfast together. Understandably, this drew attention. People started conversations, began asking questions, and of course, wanted to hold the black and white beauty.

“If I handed her to you, you’d hold her like a baby, and she’d just lie there,” he said. “It’s always funny to me that when a woman holds her, they automatically bounce her like a baby, but when she comes to me, she crawls up on my shoulder. She knows that’s how we roll.”

Rosey now makes weekly breakfast appearances, visits local businesses, and even stops by the farmers’ market, where vendors save scraps just for her visits. “It is not about shock value,” Hooten said. “It’s fun to see how people react, they don’t expect her to be friendly and sweet.”

Ten months in, Rosey has become more than a pet. She is a conversation starter. A shoulder-percher. A reminder that sometimes the most unexpected things can bring a community together.

And no, she does not stink.

Follow Rosey’s adventures on Instagram at @Rosey_TheSkunk25.

The Bike Guy of Deer Creek

By Taylor Bollinger

When Rich Wu talks about Bikes for Tykes, it’s not about numbers - though they’re impressive. It’s all about people. “It really started with one bike,” Wu said. “I saw one for sale for $15 when I moved back to Oklahoma in 2017, around the holidays, and I thought, what better way to show love?”

That simple decision led to what many in the Deer Creek and Edmond area now know as Bikes for Tykes, a grassroots effort to recycle donated bicycles and put them in the hands of kids who would not otherwise have one. Wu partners closely with Trent Hickey, who has led holiday bike giveaways in the community and has given away bikes from his business, Don Hickey Used Cars and Trucks, since the mid2010s.

“Trent took me to my first bike race back in 2014 and told me his story of overcoming adversity,” Wu said. “He has always felt called to give back. He is incredibly inspiring.”

“At first it was just a handful of bikes,” he said. “Then people started calling me ‘the bike guy.’ Almost every week, someone sends me a message asking how to donate or who to contact.” By 2019, Bikes for Tykes expanded through community Facebook groups, including Deer Creek Parents Facebook page. That year, Wu helped collect 178 bikes. The following year, it jumped to 373.

“I had this goal of one bike per day,” he said. “I love goals, probably from my old job working with numbers.” Wu has personally collected more than 2,000 bikes and tracks each one in a detailed spreadsheet. “I log the date, the source, the color, even what it was worth originally,” he said. “It’s extra work, but it matters to me.”

The bikes are refurbished by Hickey, often with volunteers. “For every 10 bikes we used to get, we could piece together about three ready-to-ride bikes. Now it’s closer to seven out of 10.” Wu said, “It is borderline magic.”

The donations still amaze him, and some still stop him in his tracks. “Sometimes someone donates a bike that was bought at a real bike shop, not a big box store,” he said. “They

could resell it and make money, but instead they want to pay it forward.”

A major turning point came in 2020 when Jason Brady, owner of Above + Beyond Service Company, offered storage space and later paid for a storage unit. “That night changed everything,” Wu said. “It took the cap off our community service.”

The work is often emotional. “You see families come through, and it hits you,” Wu said. “It enables them to make their kid’s day – or even year.” Jen, Wu’s wife encourages him. Wu fondly recalls a time when she squeezed his arm and told him, “This is a good thing that you do.”

People want to help people.

The Oklahoma Standard is real.

For Wu, Bikes for Tykes reflects something bigger. “Oklahomans are good people,” he said. “The Oklahoma Standard is real. People want to help people, and I’m proud to call this state home.”

To follow their journey, donate a bike, or learn how to get involved, find “Bikes For Tykes - Deer Creek” on Facebook.

Mayor's Essay Contest

If You Were Mayor for One Day, What Would You Do and Why?

For more than four decades, the Mayor’s Essay Contest has given Edmond’s youngest residents a voice — and a chance to reflect on what makes their community special. Now in its 41st year, the annual contest continues to inspire creativity, kindness, and civic pride among local elementary students.

“I am thrilled to invite all our students to participate in this year’s Annual Mayor’s Essay Contest,” said Mayor Nash. “This is your chance to share your creativity, leadership ideas, and vision for our community through the theme, ‘Mayor for a Day.’ I encourage you to think boldly about how you would improve our neighborhoods, support local families, strengthen our schools, and make our city an even better place to live. Your voice matters, and this contest is an opportunity to be heard, inspire others, and showcase the incredible talent and insight of our young leaders. I cannot wait to read your ideas and see the future of our city through your eyes.”

Each year, 1st through 5th graders respond to a prompt designed to spark imagination and thoughtful reflection. Recent topics have encouraged students to explore everything from community values to creative storytelling. In 2022, students reflected on how showing kindness can make a difference in Edmond. In 2023, they created winter wonderlands filled with vivid detail. In 2024, they imagined a city mascot and its role in the community.

Last year was the contest’s 40th anniversary, and students marked the milestone event by writing about their favorite part of Edmond and why it’s important to them. Fifth grader Afton G. wrote about her love for Mitch Park, calling it “an easy place to love.” Third grader Lincoln M. celebrated Downtown Edmond, writing, “Downtown Edmond is my favorite place to spend time with my family, and to have fun. I really love this town… It is an amazing place to live.”

This year, students are invited to answer the question: If you were Mayor for one day, what would you do and why? Essays should be 250 words or fewer and may be turned in at the City of Edmond, City Hall, 22 E. Main St., or emailed as a scanned copy to MayorEssay@edmondok.gov by Friday, March 13. Each entry must include the student’s name, school, grade, and a parent’s phone number and email address. First-place winners in each grade level will be recognized at the April 13 City Council Meeting, and winners will be notified by email by March 31. For additional information, call (405) 359-4577.

I have been to every Tenttober since it started when I was four in 2018. That was my very first time camping, and it was so cold that year! I have so many happy memories with my family as we did crafts, played games, and watched the outdoor movies with smores every year. Waking up in Mitch Park is always so awesome!

The amphitheater is another favorite. Not only have I watched real musicals there, but sometimes I was the star of my own show. We would sing and dance on the stage all the time.

—Afton G., 5th Grade

A perfect Saturday for me would be spending the whole day doing activities in Downtown Edmond. First, I would have breakfast at Sunnyside Diner, they have the best pancakes. Next, I would walk to Bluebird Books. I like shopping there because the employees always know what people want. For lunch, I would go to Empire Slice. The garlic knots there are garlicky great. Next, I would go to BlocWorks and climb.

—Lincoln M., 3rd Grade

Cedar Forest Fence LLC

For nearly three decades, Cedar Forest Fence LLC has been a trusted name in Edmond, known for craftsmanship, honesty, and a commitment to doing one thing - and doing it exceptionally well.

Founded in 1995 by Warren E. Christy, Cedar Forest Fence was born out of a desire to take control of the future and raise the standard of fencing services in Edmond and the Oklahoma City area. “There was a clear need for better service in the industry,” Christy says. “I had the skills, the experience, and the drive to provide higher-quality fence solutions for our community.”

Unlike companies that spread their focus across multiple services, Cedar

Forest Fence specializes exclusively in fences and powered gates. That focus is what sets them apart. “We believe in doing one service and being really good at it,” Christy explains. The company emphasizes professionalism, honesty, and experience, qualities homeowners consistently say they want most in a contractor.

A key reason Cedar Forest Fence stands apart is its commitment to material quality. While many fencing companies use standard pine rails, Cedar Forest Fence uses cedar wood exclusively for fence rails, offering longer-lasting, more durable products. “We stand behind our work with the longest warranty in the state,” Christy says. “That gives our customers real confidence in their investment.”

Cedar Forest Fence proudly serves both residential and municipal clients, including the City of Edmond, Edmond Parks and Recreation, and other city fencing projects on public property. Their strong local ties run deep; Christy and every member of his crew live in Edmond.

“We’re very selective about who works with us,” Christy says. “Our crews are often complimented, and they receive tips every year. We see our customers around

town all the time. Many of them consider us friends.”

As demand grows for higher-quality, longer-lasting fences, Cedar Forest Fence remains committed to the values that have guided them since day one: quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, and treating customers like neighbors because they are.

Call Warren at 405-219-4250 or visit CedarForestFence.com for more information.

To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.

Big Adventure, Lifelong Memories

The Steels - Edmond residents, Y members, and a Camp Classen family

Days at YMCA Camp Classen are filled with laughter, discovery, and moments that become stories families tell for years. It’s where summer feels the way it should.

Nelson Landscaping Oklahoma's Trusted Landscaping Experts

For homeowners who want landscapes that are as beautiful as they are functional, Nelson Landscaping has become a trusted partner in transforming outdoor spaces. Founded in 1995, the Oklahoma City–based company has grown from a one-man operation into a highly respected landscape design-and-build firm — while staying grounded in quality workmanship and integrity.

Built on Integrity and Experience

Founder and owner Andy Nelson started the company with a lawnmower, a passion for working outdoors, and a commitment to doing things the right way. For more than three decades, that commitment to honest service and dependable results has guided the company’s growth. Today, integrity, craftsmanship, and accountability remain at the core of every project. Nelson Landscaping specializes in comprehensive landscape design and installation tailored to each property. Services include custom landscape design, planting plans, grading, drainage solutions, irrigation systems, and professional hardscaping. Their fullscale approach allows homeowners to work with one experienced team from concept to completion.

Thoughtful, Lasting Landscape Design

What sets Nelson Landscaping apart is its design-first philosophy and focus on long-term value. Rather than offering quick cosmetic upgrades, the team develops well-planned landscapes

that enhance curb appeal, improve functionality, and mature beautifully over time.

Each project is carefully designed to complement the home’s architecture, natural terrain, and the homeowner’s goals. By combining proven horticultural knowledge with durable materials and sustainable practices, Nelson Landscaping creates outdoor environments built to thrive in Oklahoma’s climate.

Rooted in Community, Focused on the Future

Serving Oklahoma City and surrounding communities including Edmond, Yukon, Norman, Moore, and Piedmont, Nelson Landscaping has played a meaningful role in shaping local neighborhoods for over 30 years. Much of the company’s work comes from repeat clients and referrals — a reflection of long-term relationships built on trust.

As the company looks ahead, its mission remains consistent: deliver high-quality landscaping with professionalism and personal attention. Clients appreciate that the Nelson team treats every property with care and

respect, approaching each landscape as if it were their own.

With three decades of experience and a reputation built on integrity, Nelson Landscaping continues to provide dependable, expertly crafted landscapes that add beauty and value to homes across Oklahoma.

Contact Nelson Landscaping online at NelsonLandscapingOK.com or call (405) 202-4120. Whether you’re dreaming of a custom landscape, outdoor living area, or lighting design that highlights your home after dark, Nelson Landscaping is ready to bring your vision to life. Free consultations are available within the OKC metro area—reach out today to get started.

To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.

A 60 th Anniversary!

By Louise Tucker Jones

On March 4, 1966, I married the love of my life and we expected to be together forever. Not once, during our 45 years of marriage, did we ever talk about, “What if….” My parents were married for 70 years before my dad went to heaven. Why wouldn’t I expect the same? My mother saved one of her anniversary plates from their 50th for me, assuming Carl and I would have such a celebration. Then, without warning, pancreatic cancer struck.

The sadness of losing my husband too soon will always remain, but the joy of our 45 years together truly outweighs the grief. And no, our marriage wasn’t perfect, but I haven’t found one that is. Looking back, I see the Lord’s hand in many things,

including us having a 40th anniversary celebration with friends.

Another little miracle is that any memory of arguments or disagreements just disappeared. Those, “If only…” or “He/I should have…” Gone! All that remains in my heart are the good times. The love. The laughter. The silly, crazy, fun moments, and the comfort of being with the one who knew me completely.

Since we were separated the first year and half of our marriage, thanks to the U.S. Army, we guarded our time together for the rest of our marriage. My thoughts linger on my husband’s gentleness that held me like a warm blanket, along with tender words meant only for me. Love notes to each other long after our first years. Precious moments while parenting babies, teenagers and young adults. Little things, like Cokes and cuddles at old drivein movies still make me smile. And oh, the prayers that held us together through the years and gave me strength in the hardest circumstances.

Of course, I’d love to be celebrating 60 years with my husband, but know that it doesn’t take 50, 60 or even 45 years to make a marriage. It takes love,

commitment, trust, and each giving 100 percent. Then when that “together time” comes to an end, the one left behind will have an abundance of memories to hold in their heart forever.

Happy Heavenly Anniversary, Carl!

Love you forever!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.

The concept is simple: take a piece of art, leave a piece of art.

The Edmond Little Free Art Gallery is a tiny, 16-by-37-inch house of art tucked along a public sidewalk between the Edmond Fine Arts Institute and The Patriarch in Downtown Edmond. Created in 2021 through a partnership between the Edmond Fine Arts Institute and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, the gallery has circulated hundreds of miniature works, sparking connection and creativity in the heart of downtown.