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Couple’s story proves love conquers all
Published 4:14pm Saturday, November 1, 2008Do you believe in fate?
Kristi Craft does.
While operating K&E Video on Kent Dairy Road, she had experienced personal heartaches, disappointments and a broken marriage.
In l999, in the aftermath of so many trials, a young man came into her store to rent a video game.
Usually, Kristi did not tell someone they could swap the video if they didn’t like it, but she thought he was “special.”
Soon, he was returning video after video almost to the point of being ridiculous … just to have an excuse to visit with Kristi. (They will now tell that each felt a special bond toward the other from the beginning, although Kristi did have some concerns).
The week they met was to have been Robert’s last week in Alabaster. He was already making plans to return to his home in Norfolk, Va.
From the very beginning, Robert told Kristi his story of having been on the wrong side of the law, due to a few youthful errors. He had no money to post bail, so he had to stay in jail for several weeks.
He told me that the only book given to him in jail was a Bible and he began to read and search like never before to try and figure out why his life was in such turmoil. By the time his sentence was over, Robert Craft was a new man.
Thus, when he first met Kristi, he felt that she was special and was possibly a sign that he needed to stay in this area since there was nothing of value for him in Norfolk. Kristi, a Pelham graduate, was concerned that someone like Robert could let himself get into such a mess.
Still, the “open talks” continued and finally there was a first date to see a spooky movie.
Soon, Kristi’s family welcomed Robert and the couple were married July 28, l999, in Southern Hills Christian Church.
Robert, the laid back fellow that he is, continued his work in irrigation, while Kristi tended the store. Together, they opened Celebrity Video & Tan on September 10, 2004.
I find them to be like “extended family” — two of the friendliest, eager to please business folks around.
They now attend the Church at Shelby Crossings and credit the Lord for all they have been able to accomplish.
The business world is a struggle, but they now operate the business together — long hours (10 a.m.-11 p.m.) with Robert doing his former work only on a limited basis.
They are parents of Gracie, age 8; Xander, age 4; and Copland, age 22 months.
The next time you’re in Celebrity Video & Tan, tell them Sandra sent you.
