An Amazing Husband - Graysen Walles

I have an amazing husband, and I would like to tell the world why I feel this way about him. First, I am a stay at home mom. We have a 9 and 3year old together, and my 16 year old step son. It ta

I have an amazing husband, and I would like to tell the world why I feel this way about him.  

First, I am a stay at home mom.  We have a 9 and 3year old together, and my 16 year old step son.   It takes a lot of work to keep our household running, and for me and my husband to find the time to have quality time together.   He fully supports my decision to be home, and we work well together to maintain a healthy home.  It gets a little tight financially at times, but we make it through and have done so now for 10 years.  

Second, He is the founder of a new Charter School that began this year.  There were numerous challenges to accomplish this goal, but he kept the vision and worked hard to ensure that the Elite Scholars Academy opened its doors to 227 students in Clayton County, GA.  I can’t begin to tell you the obstacles he had to overcome to make this happen.  I must admit that I sat back many days wondering why he continued to pursue something that many people did not support.  I now see why.  His perseverance has provided new opportunities to 227 families.

Third, he is an active member of the United States Air Force Reserves serving in a C-130 school house.  He is well respected by his peers and superiors.  I am very impressed with the relationships he has developed there, and how so many people depend on him, even though it is only for one weekend out of the month.  

Fourth, he recently published a book for teachers.  My husband is so passionate about education and teachers.  I really couldn’t see him do anything else in life.  There is no question in my mind that teaching is his gift, and the book he has written is to help teachers become better professionals.  It is a profession that is often times taken for granted.  

Fifth, he started a foundation to support his passion to uplift hard working high school students and to create mentoring programs for young African American males.  He meets with over 100 students per month helping them to do the necessary things to prepare for college and their professional careers.

Sixth, he completed a doctoral program in 2005, while teaching full time at a high school.  High school is a very demanding environment, but he was determined to complete his doctoral degree to make sure that our sons had no excuses to ever give up or to settle in life for second best.  

Last but not least, last year I had a surgery that appeared to be successful.  However, after a couple of days at home, something was wrong.  Without notice or any pains,  I began to bleed significantly.  Luckily Graysen was home.  All I remember was telling him that I could not make it to the car, and then I blacked out.  The next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance going to the hospital.  

This situation happened while my sons were at home, and my husband found a way to keep them calm, while arranging for someone to stay at the house as he followed the ambulance to the hospital.  I know he was scared and worried, because when I woke up, I saw his face.  Before I said a word, he knew what was on my mind.  “The boys are ok; they are with your mom.  Now let’s get you better.”  

I found out later that he had called our church, family members, and  our neighbors to let them know what had happened and to ask for their prayers.  He stayed with me every minute, and nothing else mattered to him but me.  I think my love for him deepened at that time.  Our relationship moved to another level.  

Simply put, I love my man and I respect him.  I respect him not for all of his accomplishments, but because he has a desire to do the right thing, and to really give his all to have a healthy family and a great marriage.  

I should say, by the age of 19, my husband had lost his biological father and very close uncle to murder.  They were both shot to death, and he was right there to bury them both.  Prior to the death of these two men, he had lost his grandfather to alcoholism.  There weren’t many men in my husband’s life to help him become the man that has become.  He traveled the journey to manhood alone many times, and continues to strive to be the best he can be for God, his family and for himself.    

His mom was a huge influence on him, as she raised him as a single parent to be responsible and compassionate.  My hat is off to her, and to God who has blessed me with a wonderful soul-mate.

Sincerely, 

Kenddal Walles

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