Love Patterns: The Banker

You always thought differently from everyone 

On a sweltering street corner of Texas, a young Bernard Garret Jr shines the shoes of business professionals and blue collared citizens in the financial district. His interest into the accumulation of their wealth leads to him almost being punished by local enforcement. 

I’ve seen boys killed for less

Fast forward to 1954, Bernard moves to Los Angeles all grown up and settles in with his wife's relatives. He gives thanks for the hospitality and explains confidently that he’s been saving and studying to get into real estate. Eunice's (Bernard's wife) uncle was shocked and swayed him to get into a profession that was fitting to the times. 

My husband is a genius, you'll see...

Weeks go by and Bernard's calculations pan out successfully. He got an unconventional loan approved and renovated homes in an organised fashion. The disturbance from neighbours did not phase him. The success lead to an extension of the partnership to renovate more homes. He buys Eunice a beautiful home, surprising her with the time frame and size. Her humble, nurturing and elegant nature is attributed to the effortless token from Bernard. The rapid growth of expansion is met with mature satisfaction but he was hungry for bigger challenges.

He meets Joe, a larger than life fellow whose lifestyle would have so many fooled. Eunice is convinced Joe is the person he should strike a new partnership with to expand. Bernard gets a eureka moment to buy the bank and the building that came with it, located in the centre of town. Joe's reaction to his idea justifies how outlandish that move would be on every scale imaginable.

You a good person, ain't been corrupted by the world yet. Like a child but that's gon change when you get rich - Joe

They purchase another bank in a smaller area. As soon as they were able, they approved loans to homeowners and businesses. A thick cloud of change was in the air and praise was heaped onto the two icons. Their success had prying eyes. Soon to follow were vengeful acts and petty crimes. This started to stir Bernard's spirit. His principles were the source of his work ethic and diligence in being used for the greater good that was yet to come.

I feel like you have to do this and that is why I support you - Eunice

Bernard and Joe push forward with more acquisitions, followed by shadows of anticipated failure. Bernard admits how much he learned from Joe. About how to be flexible in mind and nature to achieve goals and carry less weight on his shoulders. Unfortunately, their crusade came to an end due to federal accusations. 

The government were petrified at how much two melanated men had accomplished. The support from Eunice was goddess-like. She always knew Bernard was a visionary because her faith never wavered. Acknowledging Joe's opposite nature allowed him to see his internal challenges. Bernard's relationships helped him sail through his grand journey.

A legacy changed a nation. At the heart of it was character, good will, sacrifice and testing faith from a marriage, that shone through to up lift each other time and time again. Bernard and Eunice’s matrimony is hard to encapsulate.

Their example is not rare, just a lot of trial and error based on moral and traditional principles. May you find your own and build your foundation to your desires.