Two-Time Author at Prize Publishing House| First Dual Authors at Prize Publishing House

 

Mr. Ronald Portwine is married to his best friend Mrs. Felicia Portwine for over 35 years, parents of two beautiful daughters and grandparents to one granddaughter. Felicia has over 25 years working in the Public School Systems. Felicia is currently a stay at home wife and upcoming entrepreneur. Felicia prides herself on her love of fashion; she is a graduate of the Jamileh Kamran School of Fashion Design in Little Rock, Arkansas as a Couture designer. Her hobbies include but are not limited to sewing, interior design, thrifting, and shopping. Felicia has an amazing story of her life of being in an interethnic marriage. She is the author of “You Knew Me Then; but You See Me Now”. Ronald served in the United States Army and has over 30 years of knowledge in the tooling business. He is currently the Southwestern Regional Manager for the largest round cutting tool manufacturer globally. Ronald has earned two Associate’s, one Bachelor’s, and his Master’s Degree. This is “Their” story and journey as it entails the highs and lows, ups and downs but most of all the never ending love, courage, and tenacity that comes along with marrying outside your ethnicity.

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Mrs. Felicia Portwine is the wife of Mr. Ronald Portwine, her best friend of 35 years; a mother of two beautiful and talented daughters; and a Grammie to one granddaughter. She has over 25 years working in the public school systems.  Felicia is currently a stay-at-home wife and budding entrepreneur. Felicia prides herself on her love of fashion; she is a graduate of the Jamileh Kamran School of Fashion Design in Little Rock, Arkansas as a Couture designer. Her hobbies include but are not limited to sewing, interior design, thrifting, and shopping. Felicia has an overwhelming story of how she courageously learned to walk in forgiveness from things she allowed to haunt her for over 30 years. Her love for Christ and her tenacity to persevere allowed her to begin to look at her life and make a conscious decision to live. Today, she inspires others to live their best life. Learning to trust the process was the pivoting point of her releasing the past and moving into the life that God has promised. She is confident that her future is far greater than her past. Writing her book, You Knew Me Then, But You See Me Now, has changed her life for the better.  She is finally free to be Fe.

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It's Not Black, It's Not White

This book is God Ordained, predestined for you to read. Being in an interethnic relationship is harder than it looks. Not from the inside, but from the outside. In this book Ronald and Fe reveal their journey of over 35 years of marriage, although different ethnicity, as soulmates. No one could have told Fe she would be in an interethnic relationship, especially a MARRIAGE!!! But according to Ron, as everyone knows him, he already knew this to be his destiny, with Felicia. However; here we are 35 plus years later; two daughters and a beautiful granddaughter. Living a life with someone outside your ethnicity is very challenging. I want to pause and reiterate regarding the challenges; it’s not from the relationship itself but from the world’s view. Outsiders looking in! I’m not saying it has been easy on the inside either, although very doable. These 35 plus years has taught us a lot about who we are as well as whom people (outsiders) are. Over the years we have grown together, cried together, and laughed together. A lot of laughs! But most important we have LOVED together. So come along and open your hearts and minds in understanding that it’s not the outside that determines who we are but merely the inside. Let’s be open and not limited in the way we view the “Human Race” whether black, white, or somewhere in between. Love is Love and there are no boundaries. This is our journey.

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You Knew Me Then, But You See Me Now

Learning to forgive is a process. After over thirty years of carrying her past, Felicia Portwine made a conscious decision to let go of all that had been holding her in bondage (hostage). The hurt, pain, guilt, and shame were who she thought she was; it was her reality. She had to let it all go once and for all! You Knew Me Then, But You See Me Now is her declaration of freedom. Felicia’s willingness to forgive was the pivot point in which her life truly began. A person may never know they are bound until they are free. Unresolved issues and your past can ultimately take over your entire life. You will begin to tell people this is who I am.

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However, in reality, this is what you have become as a result of hurt. Hurting people hurt others. On the other hand, if a person does not know they are hurting, then in return, they do not realize they are hurting others. Forgiveness feels like you are rewarding someone for something they don’t deserve! How many times has God forgiven us? It kind of sounds like GRACE to me. The grace working in us for others allows us to forgive and move past the past! So, allow your grace for others to help you forgive and move into your GOD-given destiny (your purpose). This will keep the past in the past! Trust the process and forgive in order to live your God-given purpose, destiny, a life of liberty, and freedom. Live your best life! Finally, free to be you. This is Felicia’s purpose for this book - to help you be the best you!