#BlackLove: T.D. Jakes calls wife Serita his ‘ride or die soulmate’ on 36th wedding anniversary
Article By Angel Smith // EEW Magazine Love & Marriage
Through the good and bad, ups and downs and over the years, Serita Jakes has been a solid rock in the life of high-profile preacher, T.D. Jakes.
This month, the couple celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary and the pastor of The Potter’s House of Dallas wants the world to know she is his “ride or die soulmate.”
In a sweet social media message, Bishop Jakes, 60, had nothing but glowing remarks to share about the leading lady he married in 1981.
“I made a public decision before about 600 people to take this woman to be my lawfully wedded wife. Neither of us had any idea what we would face, but we stepped to the edge of the pool and about 45 minutes later, we dived into a life that’s been filled with miracles and mayhem, majesty and mystery,” he said.
Lady Jakes, 62, daughter of a coal miner, met her now husband when he preached a sermon during a revival in her hometown of Beckley, West Virginia. At the time, Serita Ann Jamison became enthralled by him. She was smitten. Soon after, the two formally met and were married six months later.
That six month courtship has led to a 36-year marriage and counting.
Photo Credit: Instagram
“In spite of galing winds and rip-tide currents, we are still submerged in the waters of life and love,” Jakes said, adding, “I wanted to publicly express a thank you to my rib, who has often been my backbone and never ceased being a loyal ‘ride or die’ soulmate!”
Mrs. Jakes posted a sweet message of her own on Instagram, telling the love of her life, “For over 36 years, Bishop Jakes, you have held my hand in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, as God lifted us to ‘places I’d never seen and places I’d never been’!”
She continued, “I am forever in awe as my heart looks out and sees how God has joined us together. Thank you for never letting go of my hand nor my heart.”
Bishop Jakes, known for his descriptive words and ability to turn a phrase concluded his romantic anniversary statement by telling his rib, “Happy Anniversary to the classiest, most graceful mixture of leather and lace I ever wore in the pool! There’s nothing as beautiful as love in all of its forms! And, with nothing to sustain us but that love, it still looks great on you!”