President Epting and Gretchen share Valentine’s Day traditions
Posted by The Skyliner on February 11th, 2009Rachel Ham
Staff Writer
When thinking of typical Valentine’s Day plans, you watching over your younger siblings while your parents went out to celebrate may come to mind. Or you may think of going out with friends to see the new romantic comedy.
But what do you think Dr. Jimmy Epting, North Greenville president, and his wife, Gretchen, do to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
The Eptings will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary on the 18th of August this summer. They have three children and now they also have three beautiful grandchildren.
Above: President Epting with wife Gretchen (Photo by Jenny Farnham/ The Skyliner)
North Greenville’s favorite couple met at Mars Hill College through mutual friends. Epting was a junior and his wife was a freshman at the time. Their first official meeting was on an outing to a movie theater in Mars Hill. They often saw each other around campus at the gym and dining hall.
Epting recalls some of his first thoughts of Gretchen being that she was a “pretty gal.” They began dating shortly after meeting and have been together ever since.
After graduating from Mars Hill, Epting relocated to the University of Alabama where he worked and continued schooling. His wife traveled with him to Alabama and also got a job in the area.
Some of the best memories of the Epting’s past Valentine’s Days have been simple. During the first years of their relationship, yellow sweetheart roses were a favorite gift of Mrs. Epting. Yellow roses then became a tradition along with taking time to go out for dinner each year.
They have always tried their hardest to put each other first in their marriage. Epting says this is essential to having a strong marriage.
Unfortunately, the Eptings are very busy people and have often had to delay their Valentine’s Day celebration to another day. Various functions or family obligations have kept them from celebrating until another time.
Before coming to North Greenville, in the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, the Eptings owned and managed their own restaurant, The Fishnet, in nearby Travelers Rest. Valentine’s Day was one of the busiest days in the restaurant, so the Eptings were not able to celebrate on the actual day.
But they are grateful that even though they had to work hard on Valentine’s Day, their children were often able to work alongside them. They enjoyed having the opportunity to serve others with their children.
The Eptings have realized that the 14th of February is not the only day that love should be shown. Their home has always been filled with love and affection. They have stressed the importance of caring for others to their children and have passed down their friendly natures.
They have always been an affectionate family; hugs were never scarce. Their children learned by example to show love and hardly left the house without first giving Mom and Dad a hug and kiss.
Showing each other how much they love and appreciate other was and still is an everyday occurrence in the Epting household.
The Eptings believe it is important that families express their love to one another. Remembering the love that Christ showed to us makes this easier.
Epting refers to the Bible to find the definition of true love. Capturing the essence of what Valentine’s Day should be about, Jesus said to “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34).
While the Eptings may celebrate Valentine’s Day with flowers and a nice dinner, they show their love and affection for one another each day. They are a great example of the kind of love that can only come from knowing Christ intimately.
As evidenced by his plentiful hugs, Epting has a great love for North Greenville and its students as well. He and wife have devoted many hours of prayer and hard work to making this university a better place to learn and serve.
Tags: Spring 2009, Vol. 108 - Issue 3