The first time our son-in-law Stephen came to our house, he was with his Let’s Start Talking team from Purdue University. At dinner, as the team members got acquainted, our daughter Kelsey had shared with the team about finding and visiting her birthparents .
Afterward, in a foreshadowing of multiple times of working together, Stephen was in the kitchen helping me with the dishes. In his quiet, understated way, he said, “Maybe I should find my birthfather, too.” I was surprised, because when Kelsey had mentioned being adopted he had said nothing.
He told me that his father adopted him when he married Stephen’s mother. Stephen was just a toddler. He had never had any curiosity about his birthfather, but hearing Kelsey’s story had sparked his interest. He said he might follow up on that. Then it was years before he did so, easing into the relationship with letters and calls before meeting.
I’ve discovered that this is typical of Stephen’s personality. He thinks things through carefully before acting. He investigates all aspects, not jumping into anything. Then once he has the facts, he’s right in there.
A couple of years ago, he suddenly lost his job. He came over to our house to fax some papers. I asked if they were about a job.
“No, I’m applying for a loan to buy a house,” he said. I was flabbergasted, but Stephen knew exactly what he was doing. While looking for a job, he rehabbed a foreclosure house and later sold it for a tidy profit.
A couple of weeks ago I invited them to dinner. Stephen asked, “What kind of tools should I bring?” That’s our reputation with him—always something we need for him to fix. Our fathers were fix-it guys, but Steve and I are not. It’s wonderful to have Stephen nearby to install smoke alarms and doorbells, to restore the remote for the television, or to secure and stabilize an unsteady coffee table. And he does it all with apparent pleasure.
He is an avid reader, a constant learner, and a man of integrity, all characteristics he shares with his father-in-law. They are both from Indiana, but their mutual interests go far beyond their common roots.
He works in downtown Cincinnati as an electrical engineer; he has made it his business to get to know the indigent who are always there asking for money. He greets them by name and knows their situations. He has opinions about whose needs are legitimate and whose are not.
He is our church deacon in charge of benevolence, and that’s a good role for him. He has compassion tempered with common sense.
Whenever he eats a meal with us, he is the first to clear the table and load the dishwasher. He has a servant heart that I love to be around.
He thinks deeply about his family, spiritual matters, friendship, and work. He gives his best to whatever he is doing.
How could I not adore this man? He is just what my daughter needed for her life companion. Together they grow spiritually. She pulls him into social situations; he stabilizes her in her varied social and spiritual involvements.
He listens well to my stories and cares about my life. I am honored that he is my son and my friend.






Connie Huddleston
How blessed you and Kelsey are to have this man with such a compassionate and servants heart in your family.
Lanita Boyd
Thanks, Connie! So true.
Nancy Bradley
We love Stephen too!
Lanita Boyd
Thanks, Nancy. You’re one of the family favorites, too!
kathy scherzinger
Stephen is my cousin’s Kents son…..his Aunt Karol and I are best friends…..It is with great joy that I read this about a fine young man! He sounds like he is blessed with a great family!
Cousin Kathy
Lanita Boyd
Thanks, Kathy! Glad you are proud of him, and justly so.
Iva Huffman
Lanita, I also think you are blessed with two precious in-laws!
Lanita Boyd
I know my son thinks you are a terrific in-law!
Karol Williams
Stephen, you have turned out to be a fine young man! Your Meme and Pappy would be so proud of your accomplishments in life as well as your family. I love the fact that you are a Christian and married into a Christian family.Be that beacon of light to shine on the rest of our family that does not willingly serve God.You have wonderful in-laws that think the world of you and money can’t buy that! Keep up the good work. We love you and stand by you in all your accomplishments! Say Hi to Finn! Love you guys!
Lanita Boyd
Karol, Stephen must have come from good people! 🙂