After 31 years of marriage, four children, and four toddlers now calling them “Lovey” and “JJ,” Cheri and Jay Love still radiate the same spark that began with a simple Subway sandwich order and a chance connection at a Chamber event. Their story is one of faith, family, and choosing each other through every season—from the hectic years of raising kids to the quiet shock of an empty nest, where Cheri discovered a new passion for acting and Jay continued serving his community with purpose. Christmas at the Love home is a whirlwind of toddlers, traditions, scripture, and sweet treats, and their advice for couples entering this next chapter is rich with wisdom, humor, and hope.
BOOM: You’ve been married for 31 years — congratulations! How did the two of you first meet, and when did you realize this was something special?
Cheri: I was 25, working in advertising sales, and had tried calling on the owner of a new Subway sandwich store. Didn’t have much luck, but I would pick up lunch there occasionally. One afternoon, at a Montgomery Chamber Business After Hours, a mutual friend pointed to Jay and told me he owned the store I had been trying to sell. I had assumed “Jay Love” was an old guy, like in his 50s lol. Once I saw that he was this young, tall, and very handsome guy, I went right up, introduced myself, and made an appointment to “talk about some advertising”. Best sale I ever made!
I knew he was special the first time we sat down to talk, and several dates later, I couldn’t wait to introduce him to my parents. Jay is the kindest person I know and always made me feel like the most awesome person ever-and still does after all these years!
Jay: I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was the summer of 1992, and I had just opened my first Subway sandwich shop at the Madison Square Shopping Center. Cheri came in and ordered a 6” sandwich on wheat bread, no cheese, bell peppers, pickles with both mustards. She paid with a check, so I had her name and her work number. We ended up attending several Chamber events and, through a mutual friend, started talking. I knew within two dates that she was something very special.
BOOM: That story about your first meeting over Cheri’s Subway sandwich order is special. Jay, what went through your mind when you realized the woman winning your ad account might also win your heart?
Jay: After the first time she came into my store, I turned to the guy I was working with and told him, “That is the kind of girl I want to marry”. The attraction for me was immediate. It was like a thunderbolt.
BOOM: You raised four children and now have four grandchildren under the age of three! What has been the biggest joy of becoming grandparents? And what are your grandparent names?
Cheri: Being a grandparent is like reliving some of the best parts of when our kids were little, but without the hard stuff. Watching your grown children nurture, teach, and love these precious children is so gratifying. It is such a joy to see our grandkids’ personalities developing and seeing certain traits of our children and their spouses come out in these cute little beings. It is absolutely wonderful! My grandmother’s name is “Lovey” because my last name is Love, and it seemed like the perfect name for me!
Jay: As our children began leaving our house, attending college and then moving on to their careers, I found myself saying, “I would love to go back for just a day and play with them again as children or read to them before bed”. Now, through God’s plan, I am able to do that with my grandchildren. I look at my grandchildren’s faces and see my children. My grandkids call me JJ.
BOOM: The holidays are such a special time for families. What does Christmas look like at the Love home these days with all the kids and grandkids?
Cheri: Christmas time is SO MUCH FUN and very entertaining with four toddlers in the house! We can hardly wait to have all our kids and grandkids in our home, celebrating Christmas together! We are blessed to spend part of our Christmas time with my Walker family and also with Jay’s family (where we have eight children under seven years old!) Christmas at our home means sharing meals and time together, the calmness of Jay reading the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, and the excitement of opening presents. In other words: family time!
Jay: The holidays are fantastic! Especially at Christmas, as we are able to have them all stay at our house, if only for one night. Having them all under one roof transports me back to when they were all still at home. My wife and children love traditions, so we have a set plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for opening presents, and reading the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke. It can be chaotic once we get to the opening of presents, but there is nothing like seeing the joy and excitement in your children and grandchildren’s eyes.
BOOM: What are some you’re your favorite Christmas traditions?
Cheri: My mother loved to bake special treats at Christmas, and we have continued that tradition. We (including Jay) make our favorite sweet treats to give to family and friends. Some other traditions are special meals, a Christmas tree in our kitchen that is covered in just photo ornaments, watching Christmas movies, and attending the Living Christmas Tree service and the Christmas Eve Service at our church, First Baptist Montgomery.
Jay: I enjoy having dinner with Cheri’s siblings on Christmas Eve Eve. Cheri makes a wonderful breakfast on Christmas morning that is always a highlight. I am blessed that my parents are still very active and we love spending time over Christmas with them.
BOOM: Jay, you served in the Alabama House of Representatives for over a decade. What first drew you to public service, and what did that experience teach you?
Jay: I remember from an early age wanting to serve in public office, specifically the Legislature. I always felt that with my life experiences of being a small business owner, a pragmatic outlook toward governing, and an ability to work with a variety of people, I had a skillset that would make for effective public service. My three terms in the Legislature were very fulfilling. I was able to participate in setting the state on a responsible fiscal path through some exceedingly challenging times.
BOOM: You sold your Subway and Marco Pizza restaurants and switched to insurance and political consulting. Both in your time in the House, and now through consulting, what projects or achievements stand out as moments you’re most proud of?
Jay: I served in the Legislature from 2002 to 2013. In 2008, I had the honor of being the Republican nominee for the 2nd Congressional District. While I was not elected to Congress in 2008, the experience of running in such a large district (the River Region and the Wiregrass) allowed me to meet so many wonderful people that I count as friends to this day. I was also able to speak at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis that year, and I could have never imagined that, as a little boy growing up at Dalraida Elementary School, I would have that opportunity.
BOOM: And congratulations on recently being appointed to the Samford University Board of Trustees — what excites you about being part of that mission at this stage of your life?
Jay: Thank you. We have four children, Rachel, Addison, Rebecca, and Caroline. The three older children all went to Auburn, but Caroline always wanted to go to Samford. Neither Cheri nor I attended Samford, so we were new to the Samford family when Caroline started. Over the next four years, we grew to love Samford, and Caroline thrived there. Samford University has tremendous leadership, and that they would invite me to play a small part in it is a high honor.
BOOM: Cheri, some people find the empty nest a hard transition, but you decided to chase your dream of acting, and you’re about to appear in your first SAG film (Screen Actors Guild) — that’s incredible! What inspired you to chase this dream now?
Cheri: Not gonna lie, empty nest hit me hard. Being a mom was MY dream job, and the Lord blessed us with four wonderful children. I had the privilege to stay home and raise them and do all the things. We were very involved in church events, school events, and everything in between. One day, you are hosting 75 teenagers going through boxes of pizza in your kitchen after Sunday night church, and the next thing you know, it’s just you and your husband home on Friday night, and nothing on the calendar the whole weekend.
We had some long talks about what the next stage in our lives would be like: health goals, how we would spend our time, where we would serve in our church, and personal goals. For me, one of those goals was to pursue something new and challenging-acting.
I had worked as a background “extra” on movies/TV shows in Atlanta for several years and really enjoyed being part of the process. When our youngest child left for college, I began taking acting classes and auditioning for speaking roles. This was a scary step for me-I had never done theater or any acting where I had to memorize lines and speak. Each job is a learning experience. I am doing things I never even imagined, and best of all, I’m having fun doing it! I’m so thankful for Jay… he has encouraged me so much when I doubted if I could really do this.
BOOM: What do your kids think about having an actress in the family?
Cheri: They have told me they are proud of me for stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue acting. And I think they are amused, especially seeing me play characters that sometimes are far from who I am. Most of all, they have been very supportive and encouraging, and I really appreciate that!
BOOM: I know travel is something you both enjoy doing, and on a recent trip to Las Vegas, you guys saw The Eagles at The Sphere. Is it as magical as they say, and what concert would you love to see there next?
Cheri: Seeing The Eagles in concert and watching the film The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere truly surpassed our expectations. Both were incredibly immersive, absolutely FANTASTIC, and we highly recommend the experience!
Jay: The Eagles concert was phenomenal. The experience at the Sphere is remarkably immersive. The group plays hit after hit with remarkable precision, and the quality of the sound with the vocals of a group of individuals in their 70s is incredible. I would love to see Fleetwood Mac, but I don’t think that will be an option.
BOOM: After 31 years of marriage, careers, and raising a family, what advice would you give other couples about staying connected and keeping love alive in this “no-kids-at-home” season of life?
Cheri: Jay and I have worked hard during our 31 years together to protect our marriage. We find things to do together and he is truly my favorite person! Keep growing in your faith together. This year, we are reading through the Bible together using an app called The Bible Recap. It has really explained so much in the Bible that was confusing to me, and we love discussing it.
Making time to socialize with friends is important. Find a new activity to do together-we may be trying pickleball soon. Also, MOVE, as in exercise! If grandkids come your way, getting down on the floor isn’t what you remember from 30 years ago! Try new things, taste new things, learn something new, make a new friend, mentor someone, and find somewhere to serve. And go on that trip you’ve always talked about-you aren’t getting any younger!
Jay: I cannot stress more how important our faith journey has been to our success in marriage. We are two imperfect people serving a perfect God. The stresses of life can easily overwhelm a couple if they are not grounded in a relationship with the Lord. We try every day to meet each other’s needs. I would encourage couples transitioning out of the kids-at-home phase of their lives to plan fun activities together, such as traveling or taking up a hobby/sport together.
BOOM: You both grew up in Montgomery and have built your lives and careers here. What do you love most about this community?
Cheri: I love that Montgomery still feels like a small town but has the conveniences of a larger city. We love our First Baptist Church community-our best friends are our church friends, and that is a huge blessing during the ups and downs of life.
Jay: I love to see people that I grew up with who have continued to make this area their home. I love serving with our church family, First Baptist Church, working to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Montgomery.
BOOM: If you could wave a magic wand and see one thing improve or grow in Montgomery to make life even better for families and retirees, what would it be?
Cheri and Jay: For every family to find a community of believers in a good church and to know Jesus personally. We believe the greatest need of our community is unity in Christ. So many of the problems we face today are manifest from a lack of spiritual connection.
BOOM: Finally, what does “aging well” mean to you?
Cheri: Taking care of myself physically, mentally & spiritually so that I can be a blessing to my family and others. Also, being careful how I spend my time (meaningful things) and being faithful to serve the Lord where and how I can.
Jay: I believe first it is being content with what God has blessed you with. Next, it would be to take care of your health through regular exercise and a healthy diet. I believe you should pursue your dreams. You only get one shot at this life, so do all you can to make it a fulfilling one.
Quick Take with Cheri (Fun and fast to get to know her better)
Go-to holiday drink?
Favorite Christmas movie: The Santa Claus 2
One gift you’ll never forget giving or receiving: A pearl necklace Jay gave me our first Christmas together.
Most meaningful ornament on the tree: All the photo ornaments
Favorite local restaurant for date night: The Pub
Song that always gets you singing along: Holly Jolly Christmas
Dream trip you’d love to take together: European River Cruise
Hidden talent? Making French macarons
Best advice you received about marriage: Keep the Lord at the center.
Three words that describe your life together right now: Blessed, fun and precious
Quick Take with Jay (Fun and fast to get to know him better)
Go-to holiday drink? Cocoa
Favorite Christmas movie: ELF
One gift you’ll never forget giving or receiving: My parents gifted our family with a cruise in 201and we
made wonderful memories.
Most meaningful ornament on the tree: We have a Christmas tree that only has photos on it. It shows the history of my family.
Favorite local restaurant for date night: La Jolla
Song that always gets you singing along: September by Earth Wind and Fire
Dream trip you’d love to take together: European River Cruise
Hidden talent? I can fall asleep in about 30 seconds.
Best advice you’ve ever received about marriage: If you both grow closer to Christ, you will grow closer together.
Three words that describe your life together right now: Blessed, Amazing, Awesome.
We want to thank the Loves for sharing their story with us this month. If you have comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text Jason Watson at 334.328.5189 or email jason@riverregionboom.com.