Happily Ever After Project: Featuring Robby & Tammie Perry
Our easy friends. This is how Tammie’s mom described our friendship one time when they were talking about the fun we had hanging out together. It is always easy to just be ourselves when we are out with Robby & Tammie. Easy to laugh. Easy to treasure the time together. Easy to love. We were young couples doing life together and raising our babies. Much has happened and we can go awhile without seeing them, but when we come back together, we are still the same. We simply couldn’t imagine our journey without them. And we are inspired always by their love for each other – protective, nurturing and strong.
Love Notes from TAMMIE:
How we met, what attracted me…
Robby and I knew of each other in grade school. After high school, we saw each other at a mutual friend’s memorial service and just said “hi”. A few months later, we happened to be stopped at the same red light in Five Points. He blew the horn at me and I waved back. He called me a month later and asked me out. Of course, my parents had to meet him first before I was allowed to see him. After the first date, my mother asked me if I had a good time. My answer was, “If I don’t marry him, I’ll marry someone just like him!” We were married 6 months later. I’ve always laughed and told him and the kids that what first attracted me to him was his cowboy boots, but in all honesty, it was his kind, gentle spirit that won me over.
Describe a memorable story of the two of you…
I think our entire marriage has been one memorable story with chapters still unwritten. There are very special moments within our story and one of them that I cherish is a trip we took to Cades Cove. We took an old quilt, spread it on the ground out in a beautiful field and shared a simple Subway lunch. It stands out to me because it seemed like time just stood still.
Key ingredient to your success as a couple, biggest challenge to overcome…
Key ingredient…first, I believe in the covenant of marriage and that it is a gift from God. He is the one who joined us together. The words love, commitment, communication, and trust all come to mind when I think of key ingredients too but the one most important aspect of our marriage that stands out to me is that Robby is my very best friend.
Our biggest challenge would have to be when our daughter, Savannah, was called home. We allowed each other to grieve in our own way but also chose to stand strong in our faith and turn to each other instead of others for the support, comfort and love that we each needed.
Favorite quote or verse…
Isaiah 40:31 is my favorite verse. Those who wait upon the Lord, will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.
Best gift ever…
So many gifts have been given through the years. Robby is a very giving person but he also knows that jewelry, flowers and all the things a girl loves are just that, things. The best gift Robby has ever given me is his time. Time is something that can never be taken back and can only be spent once, and he chooses to spend it with me. I will never take that for granted.
Something he does very well…
Robby is great at anything he chooses to do. But if I had to pick one, it would be his craftsmanship skills. Thru our 30 years of marriage, the same house has been our home for 27 of them. As time changes us all, our taste has changed too and every change, redesign, addition, etc. that we have made to our house he has taken on himself and has mastered with great success. There is not one room in our home that does not have his personal touch in the construction of it. Needless to say, it will always be home to me.
Favorite food, favorite color…
Robby’s favorite food would have to be a good grilled steak. I think he would even prefer to grill it himself. His favorite color is blue although he may tell you something different depending on what day you ask.
Something you still dream about doing…
Robby and I have always talked about traveling together when the kids moved out. There are so many places in the United States we would love to see. Now that Jonathan has joined the Army, I’m sure we will begin by visiting him wherever his career takes him.
Love Notes from ROBBY:
How we met, what attracted me…
I first saw Tammie in grade school. I thought she was very pretty but I was a couple of years older than her. A few years later, I was working with my dad, he was doing some work for her dad at their house. I didn’t know it at the time, but she tells me that she was watching me from her window. We didn’t really see each other again, for several more years until a mutual friend’s memorial service and then we just said hi to each. A few months after that, we were stopped at the same red light. I waved at her and she waved back. I thought, “I need to see if she is dating anyone.” I asked a friend of mine who knew her to find out for me. It turns out she was not so I got up the courage to call her and we went out. Two months later, I asked her to marry me. Four months after that we were married. It’s been 31 years and still going strong.
What attracted me most to Tammie was her height and dark complexion, her pretty eyes and the fact that I felt comfortable with her right from the moment we met.
Describe a memorable story of the two of you…
The time we took trip to Crossville, TN in the fall and the leaves were so pretty. We had a great weekend.
Key ingredient to your success as a couple, biggest challenge to overcome…
The key ingredient for our marriage thus far has to be our ability to rely on each other.
Our biggest challenge has been the loss of our daughter, Savannah.
Favorite quote or verse…
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Best gift ever…
My children.
Something she does very well…
Tammie is very good at loving and caring for her family. She is also a great organizer and her financial abilities are outstanding.
Favorite food, favorite color…
Tammie’s favorite food would have to be Mexican. When Savannah was born, she had really black hair. A friend of Tammie’s told her it had to be from eating so much Mexican food.
Her favorite color is blue.
Something you still dream about doing…
I dream of possibly having grand kids one day.
We just have include a few family images too… remembering Savannah and celebrating Jonathan’s recent acceptance to Officer Candidate School.
We love you Tammie & Robbie – our easy friends…
View their Happily Ever After video:
YOUR life is beautiful when you love it out!
Tammie & Robby, I absolutely loved your pictures and most of all the story of your lives. Beautiful! I mean it, you are both beautiful through and through. God bless.
Carolyn
Beautiful!
You two are amazing! Beautiful story. So glad to call you friends
Just wonderful!! I loved your story. Thank you for sharing!!