Sometimes the most powerful love stories begin with a simple “no.” That’s exactly how it started for Loida Nicholas, a newly admitted lawyer from the Philippines, and Reginald Lewis, a driven young attorney working at a New York law firm. When their mutual friend Ray Glover suggested a double date, Lewis initially declined, citing his busy schedule. But when Glover mentioned that Loida was from the Philippines, Lewis’s curiosity was piqued. “I’ve never dated an oriental before, I’m coming,” he said, a moment of openness that would change both their lives forever.
Building an oasis of love
Speaking at the opening of her late husband’s exhibition at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, Loida Lewis reveals the intimate details of their partnership with a warmth that makes decades-old memories feel like yesterday. “As his wife, it was my duty to see that he comes to an oasis,” she shares, describing their home life with touching detail. When he would return late from work, instead of complaints, she would greet him with “Darling, have you eaten?” or “Do you want a massage?”
Understanding the magnitude of her husband’s ambitions, Loida made a conscious decision to structure her career around supporting their shared dreams. She chose a stable nine-to-five position as an immigration lawyer with the federal government, ensuring she could be present for their two daughters, Leslie and Christina, while Reginald pursued his increasingly ambitious business goals.
Love through triumph and challenge
Their romance wasn’t without its early hurdles. Loida actually told Reginald she didn’t want to see him again three times, but his characteristic determination prevailed. “That total determination,” she recalls with a smile, became one of the three defining traits she most admired in him, alongside his ambitious goal-setting and unshakeable faith in his abilities.
The couple’s shared appreciation for culture and arts added another dimension to their relationship. While building his business empire, Reginald developed a passion for collecting art, starting with modest postcards of works by African American artists and eventually building an impressive collection including pieces by Picasso and Romare Bearden. Loida speaks movingly about how art became an expression of “the divine in each one of us,” a shared spiritual language in their relationship.
Keeping the flame alive
Today, Loida continues to honor and share her husband’s legacy with grace and purpose. The exhibition at the Lewis Museum represents more than just a business success story, it’s a testament to the power of partnership. Their daughter Christina’s emotional response to the exhibition – “This is the closest I’ve felt to him in a really long time” – speaks to the enduring impact of their love story.
Loida’s advice for maintaining a strong partnership while pursuing ambitious goals remains remarkably relevant. “The spouse, the significant other, has to be totally engaged that your partner is going to the very top,” she explains. Her strategy? Create a peaceful home environment where your partner can recharge and face the world’s challenges renewed.
Wisdom for modern power couples
“When your spouse comes home dejected, don’t kick them,” she advises. “Just lift them up. That’s what they need.” This philosophy of unconditional support, combined with clear communication and shared values, formed the foundation of their successful partnership.
Looking at today’s power couples, Loida emphasizes that the supporting role can be played by either partner, regardless of gender. “Sometimes it’s a woman who’s the rocket ship,” she notes, encouraging modern couples to be flexible in their roles while remaining steadfast in their mutual support.
From a blind date that almost didn’t happen to building one of America’s most impressive business legacies, the Lewis’s love story reminds us that behind many great achievements stands a great partnership. As visitors explore the exhibition celebrating Reginald Lewis’s business acumen, they’re also witnessing the fruits of a love that defied expectations and changed history.
Their story, now immortalized in the museum’s exhibition, serves as both inspiration and blueprint for couples balancing ambition with devotion, proving that with the right partnership, the sky’s the limit for what love can achieve.
