Rankin321web

“Make sure your
values are the
same before you
think about
marriage.”
in South Korea. They have five
children and have called South
Korea home for five years.
The Crafts could also be
educators in How-to-Parent.
They are grateful that they had
“two really good kids,” but it’s
obvious that their parenting skills
weigh heavily in that assessment.
Being good role models, like
their own parents, has been
important to Tina and Robert in
child-rearing. “We were involved
– always there,” Robert says about
their intentional parenting. “We
made sure that we stayed involved
with their youth group, church,
and activities, and all their friends
seemed to gather at our home.”
Tina added, “I would buy
groceries one day and after a
group of the kids’ friends came
over, those groceries would be
gone.” However, she never
complained, “I just went and
bought more groceries.”
Their carport, which they
converted to a playroom, grew
with the kids’ changing growth
patterns and interests. “It was a
fun place, but we had expectations
of our kids,” Robert said.
Tina finished his sentence,
“If we knew they were capable
of an A, a C wasn’t acceptable.
After a while they learned to hold
themselves to that standard.”
Marriage success appears to
be another course they could
teach. Robert remembers a bit
of wisdom their pastor shared at
their wedding: “If two people
had the same opinions about
everything all the time, one of
them wouldn’t be needed.”
“We are definitely opposites
in a lot of ways,” Robert asserted.
“Tina is on the go, never stops
and I enjoy my recliner and
duties as an alderman. However,
we make a point to find things
we enjoy doing together – like
bike riding. Away from school
and her bus route, she stays busy
selling and buying items on eBay,
Etsy and Amazon. I help her pack
and ship items.” On Sundays
(pre-COVID) they serve as
coordinators over the preschool
department at FBC Richland
and sing in the choir.
Tina isn’t hesitant to add her
philosophy: “We are IN love,
and we also LIKE each other.
We see to it that other things
don’t get in the way of our being
together. And NEVER talk
negatively about your spouse in
front of others!”
Robert added, “Make sure
your values are the same before
you think about marriage.” He
also stressed the fact that the
married couples who love each
other stay IN love. “I get excited
every time I see her,” he said
glancing with glistening eyes
toward his bride. “She’s my best
friend, and I’d rather spend time
with her than anyone!”
It’s a real bonus to be able to
reflect fondly on “the way we
were” and model for others
“the way we are.”
Hometown RANKIN • 7