By Courtney Ingle
Most people know Geno and Angie Lee as the owners of Jackson’s Big Apple Inn restaurant and as children’s ministers at Word of Life Church. Over the years, their ministries, the restaurant, and their dedication to God have transformed their marriage. The Lees’ story began in 1995, and after three decades together – after pain, trial, tribulation, and celebration – they’ll tell you the best is yet to come.
Early in their marriage, Angie worked evenings at UPS, and Geno and his father owned and operated the Big Apple Inn. The Lees’ oldest daughter, Tori, was 3 years old. The dual income worked on paper, but in the family, something was off.
“Angie didn’t get home until 11 o’clock,” Geno recalls. “She wasn’t seeing Tori, and she wasn’t seeing me. I said, ‘You’ve got to come home.’”
After much prayer and conversation, Angie left UPS and joined Geno at the restaurant. She says folks were floored with their decision.
“Everybody was like, ‘You’re not going to do that, are you?’” Because in every household they knew, both parents worked. Nobody was home.
But God’s blessings followed the transition.
“We didn’t miss a beat,” Angie says. “We never looked back.”
Geno nods in agreement. “That was one of our first big lessons in our early marriage: Take a leap of faith, pray about it, and God will take care of you. And He did.”
The Lees’ first ministry was in their restaurant. Geno started a homework program for kids at the Farish Street location of Big Apple Inn – dinner included, free of charge. Soon, the dining room was full of children every night.
“The parents were either too busy or just didn’t take time,” Geno says. “So I was the one meeting with the teachers at parent-teacher conferences.”
Angie says they even planned field trips. “Whatever was going on, we’d make sure the kids got to go. We loved it, and they loved it.”
Geno, a seminary graduate, says he and Angie have always put serving the Lord first in their marriage. “My ministry has always been at the Big Apple Inn — with different programs for kids, dealing with the homeless, all of it. And Angie has always had that heart, too.”
In 2009, the Lees moved to Madison and began searching for a new church home. The Sunday they walked into what was then Christ Life Church of the Highlands in Ridgeland, “we felt at home,” Geno says.
The next day, the pastor appeared at the Big Apple Inn. “He said he’d spotted us,” Geno recalls with a smile, “and that he saw something in us.” The pastor encouraged them to get involved right away.
Geno directly but politely declined.
The pastor’s response was equally direct: No.
“He said there was something in our lives.” Through prayer and the pastor’s persistence, the Lees agreed. “We started serving right away.”
Geno was serving on the church board when the pastor asked how his kids liked the church. Geno mentioned that his youngest daughter didn’t seem to want to go to the children’s services. Suddenly, the meeting agenda changed.
“He (Pastor David) said, ‘I want you to take over the kids’ department.’”
Angie laughed at the new assignment, even though their experience with kids at the restaurant had set them up perfectly for it.
“We knew nothing about running a children’s ministry. He volun-told us.”
What started with 15 children has grown to nearly 200. The church merged in 2020 and is now Word of Life’s Ridgeland campus, but the Lees remain committed to its children’s ministry.
“That’s what’s kept us young,” Geno says. “When you’re able to pour the Word of God into a child, and you see a 5-year-old on their knees during worship, just weeping — that does something to you. If we want to start changing the world, we have to start with the little ones.”
The Lees may be surrounded by children at church, but at home the couple are empty nesters now, and they are rediscovering each other.
“For over 20 years, everything was centered around the girls — every activity, every decision,” says Angie. “That’s all we knew. So now we have to relearn each other.”
The “relearning” started one day when Angie questioned Geno on her favorite color, her favorite food, etc. Geno thought maybe it was the start of an argument, but instead it was the start of an awakening.
“You’re not supposed to change on me,” he teased. “I know your favorite color is blue.”
“It used to be blue,” she replied.
“In marriage, we evolve. Especially women — it seems like every 10 years you become a different version of yourself. If you don’t keep up, you can drift apart without even realizing it,” Angie says.
Because of this, the Lees have been working through a pair of companion books — “Loving Your Wife Well” and “Loving Your Husband Well,” by Matt and Lisa Jacobson. Each volume contains 52 short chapters designed to prompt weekly conversation and reflection.
“Some of it gets really deep, and I think, ‘I’m not ready to talk about this,’” Geno admits. “But it makes you talk about the things you’ve been avoiding.”
And the Lees are “dating” again. Movie nights, intentional dinners, and conversations that for the first time in years don’t revolve around their daughters. “After 30 years, we are having fun again,” Geno says.
The Lees have valuable marriage advice to share. Geno’s first word: Have fun. Angie takes it deeper.
“Keep God first,” she says. “We place so many demands on our spouse — we expect them to bring us fulfillment, to make us happy, to be everything. But they’re not capable of that. Only God can do that.
“When you put that weight on your spouse, and they can’t deliver, you feel like they’ve failed you. But you were relying on the wrong person. Keep God first, and He will show you exactly what is missing and exactly what needs to be done.”
Angie also emphasizes prayer. “Pray for your spouse because they don’t always get it right, and neither do we. Give them grace. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.”
“I think what keeps us grounded is that we are servants,” says Geno. “Jesus was a servant — He served with towels. We have to get out there and serve. I truly believe we are going to serve until we just can’t anymore.”
The Lees also counsel couples who, like them, are watching marriages fall apart at the empty nest stage. “We see couples our age divorcing after 30 years, and it’s heartbreaking,” Geno says. “They stopped getting to know each other. The drift happened slowly, and they didn’t notice it. That’s why intentionality matters so much.”
Wedding planning tips from the pros
While a couple’s engagement and wedding season will likely take up a miniscule percentage of a lifelong marriage, it’s still wise to go into your wedding prepared. Here are a few tips.
Create your bridal registry with the future in mind
Submitted by Gina Diamond’s Flower Co.
When couples create a bridal registry, they are not only choosing gifts, they are beginning to imagine the life they will share. Many sometimes think in terms of just themselves and everyday meals, but marriage quickly grows beyond just the two of you. Family gatherings, holidays, and welcoming friends into your home often require more than expected. Planning for those moments now is a gift to your future selves.
It is also common for couples to say they do not cook and therefore do not need serving pieces. Even without cooking from scratch, items such as baking dishes, cake pedestals, and serving platters are useful for prepared foods, celebrations, and simple hospitality. These pieces support connection and togetherness, not just meal preparation.
Whenever possible, scheduling a registry appointment can be a wonderful way to receive thoughtful guidance without feeling rushed. It allows time to ask questions, explore options, and make decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
When a shop knows a couple is coming, small details can be prepared in advance, helping create a smoother and more welcoming experience. These touches are meant to serve the couple well and make the process more joyful and relaxed.
A well-considered registry is not about accumulating things; it is about preparing a home for a shared life, one that is welcoming, generous, and meant to be lived in.
Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Submitted by Honeysuckle Hollow
Biggest blunder: Last-minute changes to the wedding without communication. Timeline shifts, guest count changes, or layout updates can impact every vendor and cause unnecessary stress.
What your planner needs: Timely responses, clear decisions, and transparency.
Pro tip: Communicate early and trust your planner — most problems are easily solved when addressed in advance.
