Hottest Husbands 2008

by Stacey Paretti Rase

Well readers, you asked for it! As soon as our 2007 issue featuring our selection of the northshore’s hottest husbands hit mailboxes, calls and e-mails came flooding in. Wives from Slidell to Hammond to Folsom contacted me to ask if we would ever repeat the contest. Each thought that hers was the finest husband around—and they were ready to prove it!

Back by popular demand, IN is proud to introduce you to the northshore’s Hottest Husbands of 2008. Ladies, get ready to wipe that drool off the following pages!

Kevin Carriere
Submitted by Amity Carriere

I met Kevin in Atlanta where I was working as a nurse and he was selling pharmaceuticals. After some slick selling and some extra-attentive service, we got engaged. A few sentences after, “Will you marry me?” came “Let’s move back to my home state, Louisiana.” I’m still not sure which sentence shocked me more! After a few trips to Louisiana, the northshore was our obvious choice. Nine years and two children later, I wake up and pinch myself every morning.

Here’s the biggest reason why my husband is the hottest. When I was pregnant with my first child, Kevin and I were both working traveling jobs. One of us was going to have to quit in order to adjust to the demands of parenthood. My job was a “dream job,” but I assumed I would have to quit to have babies. To my surprise, Kevin offered to quit instead, opting to go out on his own and open a business. But this wasn’t just any business.

Somewhere along the way, I told Kevin that someday I would like to own a salon for men. So Kevin offered to open my salon and get it off the ground, so that later down the road, I would be able to quit my travel job and transition into the salon. He did all the research, got the loan, built the interior with his own hands and opened the salon—all the while with a traveling wife and a baby on his side. When I was away on a business trip, he would do 100 percent of the housework. When I got home, he would do at least 50 percent! He is a wonderful partner.

Since then, he has started three other businesses, and we had our second child. I finally quit my traveling job (to preserve my husband’s sanity), although he never asked me to make the sacrifice. We sold the ClubHouse Salon for Men, and recently Kevin was recognized as one of the New Orleans entrepreneurs of the year by City Business.

He is a wonderful, dedicated father to Lydia, age 7 and Addie, 4. He is the perfect Dad for two girls. He focuses on teaching them to be self sufficient and strong. He encourages them to think for themselves and be whoever they want to become.

Kevin is full of enthusiasm and fun! Being married to him has been the greatest adventure of my life. Since I met him he has learned to play the drums, the guitar and sing. He now plays and sings in the band Soul Revival. Not only does he provide a great home life, he also provides a great social life. And you should see him dance!

Kevin is a Cajun (hence the dancing). And did I mention that he cooks? He can cook up a great Crawfish Étoufée. How could I not fall in love with him? He is handsome and strong. And he can fix a toilet or the sink and has changed many diapers. I cannot count the times we have laughed so hard that we cried. He is deeply spiritual and he prefers to “walk the walk” versus “talking the talk.”

There are many other ways Kevin represents the hottest husband ever, but the most important and special reason is that he inspires me to be the best person I can be by reinforcing my strengths, encouraging me to work through my weaknesses and by relentlessly focusing on the positive.

Scott Brown
Submitted by Bambie Brown

I have had an overwhelming, all-consuming, unrelenting crush on my husband for 14 years! Scott and I went to high school together. I thought he was the cat’s pajamas! He was the ultimate jock. He was on the football team, the hockey team, and the baseball team. He had sun-kissed blond hair, hazel eyes and the sexiest smile I had ever seen. He was so hot! I was smitten.

After college, our romance began. As a child, Scott had dreamed of joining the military and becoming a pilot. Both of those dreams came true when he became a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the United States Army. Because Scott was a MEDEVAC pilot, he saved lives every day. He was my hero! (He also looked incredible in his uniform! He made me melt!)

During one deployment to Kuwait and two deployments to Iraq, our relationship was tested. We were separated for long periods of time and Scott was always in danger. I worried constantly. Thankfully, Scott and I were able to stay connected via e-mails, letters, cards and care packages. Phone calls were possible occasionally and my heart would skip a beat when I heard Scott’s voice on the other line!

After eight years of service, Scott left the Army. His first civilian job brought us to Slidell, where he works as a reliability engineer for Shell. He spends two weeks out of every month on an oil rig. I still miss him dreadfully, but he’s “only” gone for 14 days at a time and his new job is far less dangerous! Distance continues to make the heart grow fonder, and it keeps our passion alive. Most importantly, Scott looks just as hot in his jeans, hardhat and steel-toed boots as he did in his Army uniform!

Scott made all of my dreams come true when he asked me to marry him and again when he said “I do” on April 7, 2007. I was lucky enough to marry my best friend. So what if my best friend just happens to be gorgeous?

Only two months after our wedding, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder and sent to a treatment facility in Florida. I never imagined that I would spend my newlywed days so far away from my beloved husband. I was sick and scared and lonely, but I needed help. The treatment put a financial and emotional strain on our new marriage. But, Scott gladly paid for my treatment, and he did everything he could to raise my spirits while I was gone. He was a devoted “single father” to our eight pets, he called and e-mailed daily and he sent adorable cards! My husband is the sweetest, most loving, kindest, hottest husband on the northshore—maybe on the planet! 

Abel Strickland
Submitted by
Kristen Golden Strickland

Abel grew up in the back woods of northern Alabama in a one-room house without running water. From this modest start he managed to find his way to Texas A&M University, where he became Corps Commander. Upon graduating, he spent six years at sea, sailing through the eye of two hurricanes and living the harsh life of a lonely sailor. Two days before he was to be commissioned to be a Mississippi River pilot, as he was deboarding a tanker, a feat they accomplish while underway, the rope ladder broke and he fell three stories along the side of the ship and landed on the pilot boat. With his undeniable determination to accomplish his goals, he surprised all the doctors that said it would take him years to heal. With a metal rod in his leg, he was back on ships before year’s end and is now working hard navigating vessels up and down the Mississippi. He calls me at night when he is cold and surrounded by fog and rain and tells me he his chugging up that river just to come home and see me.

Last spring, we had a baby daughter, Macy Marie, who is beautiful to us in every way. It is great to see my husband, with his sailor tattoos and brawny muscles, hug and snuggle with our little girl. He makes me laugh, and really makes her laugh, and he tells us he loves us every day. Captain Abel even changes diapers and gives baby baths, which really scores brownie points with me!

His hard pecs, worldly motivation, sense of humor and soft heart make him the hottest husband, if not on all of the northshore, at least in this house!

Tristan Martin
Submitted by Gina Tusa-Martin 

There are many reasons I feel my husband is one of the northshore’s hottest husbands. Tristan is a dedicated family man. Everything he does is for me and our two beautiful daughters. Not only is he beautiful on the outside, he is just as warm and beautiful on the inside.

Tristan helps change lives on a daily basis. He is a certified personal trainer at Lift Training Studios in Mandeville. His passion for exercise and nutrition are helping transform clients into healthier, leaner, happier individuals. He takes the time to not just train, but also to educate his clients. He becomes actively involved in helping change his clients both physically and emotionally. He gives them the tools to make positive lifestyle changes.

Outside of work he is a wonderful caring husband and father. We are a very active, busy family and he makes time to be with Zoë, age 9, Skylar, age 3, and me. He stays involved in our children’s lives. On the weekends he is outside with the girls teaching them various things as well as just being silly with them. He is definitely a hands-on father.

He also takes time to be my personal trainer. One would think that having your husband as your personal trainer would be a recipe for fighting. Not so with us. Tristan motivates me and pushes me to limits he knows I am capable of. Of course, there are times I don’t want to listen, but he is patient and knows just how to empower me to finish the job at hand. He helps build my self-confidence.

We work full time, and even when we are exhausted after work, we tag team and divide up the evening chores. He never is one to sit back and watch me do laundry, wash dishes, bathe the girls, help with homework, etc. He is helping me get the daily chores done no matter how late he gets home.

What can I say? I feel so very lucky to have Tristan not only as my husband and the father of my children, but also as my best friend.

Brian Laiche
Submitted by Tracy Laiche

I would like to nominate my husband, Brian, as one of the northshore’s hottest husbands. When I think of the phrase “tall, dark and handsome,” I immediately think of Brian. He is 6-foot tall, has an olive complexion and is the most handsome man I know. Brian is not only a wonderful husband but a terrific father to our two children. He is my soul mate and my best friend. We will be married fifteen years this May and the love I have for him gets stronger every year.

Not only is he a great looking guy, he is also the funniest person to be around. He is the life of the party everywhere we go. He is very involved in the community as a coach for various sports and has always been our children’s coach since they were four. He serves on the board for the park and is always there for everyone—his phone never stops ringing! He has more patience than anyone I know.

He has opened up his entire heart for me as well as for my family. When Katrina hit, he was unbelievable to my family. They all lived in Chalmette and lost everything. He opened our house to all of them and for over a year we had eleven people living under one roof. They all called Brian and me their heroes for everything that we had done. I don’t think I could have made it if it weren’t for his compassion and total understanding of everyone’s feelings. I look back and I know that we both would do it all over again if needed. He makes me stronger and believes that I can do anything I want.

He ventured out last year and became a partner with his best friend and is doing so well. That’s another wonderful thing about him—he is so positive and always looking to do better for himself as well as others who are around him. I really could go on and on, but I would take up the whole magazine! I hope that he knows how very much he is loved and appreciated and I can only pray that we will have a lifetime together with many laughs and a lot of dances. When I am in his arms, I feel like it is the safest place to be, and I am so glad he chose me. I love you, Brian!

Steve Mikell
Submitted by Shannon Mikell

My husband, Steve, should most definitely be chosen as one of the northshore’s “hottest husbands.” It is difficult to portray the wonderful man I married in a brief letter, but I can say that both personally and professionally, he is exceptional. Intelligent, caring, eloquent, talented, faithful and honest are all words that describe him, but they hardly scratch the surface of his character.

At home, Steve is a true “family man.” He spends as much time as possible with me and our children Emma, age four, and Ethan, 16 months. Many men have hobbies that take them away from their families, but Steve is content to be at home. As both an avid gardener and a general “Mr. Fix-it,” he continues to renovate and improve our Old Covington cottage. Whatever crazy and harebrained home improvement project I imagine, he remains unflappable and diligently works to make it a reality. Recently, I said, “Honey, don’t you think it would be nice if you jackhammered up the driveway, extended our picket fence and planted some more roses? By the way, I’d like this all done by mid-March.” If he thought that I’d lost my mind, he never said it. Presently, he’s knee-deep in concrete rubble after spending two weekends with a jackhammer.

As a father and husband, he is loving and thoughtful. Our children race to the door every night when he comes home from work. Emma is a “daddy’s girl” through and through. They have long conversations and she loves to accompany him on errands. Sometimes, he even takes her to the hospital with him while he goes on rounds to see patients. Our son adores him and lifts his arms, waiting to be picked up, whenever Steve walks in the door.

As a pediatrician, Steve is beloved by patients and their parents alike. His soft voice and quiet manner immediately put little ones as ease. He has served our community for the last seven years as a caring and dedicated physician. His love of children and compassion for others has also led him far beyond the reaches of St. Tammany Parish. In the past, he has participated in medical missions to both Albania and Guatemala. Even on his time off (which is precious), he works with children by teaching the four-year-old Sunday School class at our church, First Baptist of Covington.

I can think of no one “hotter” than Steve. I consider myself blessed to be his wife. If you are looking for a true man of excellence, integrity and talent, look no further!

P.S. Did I mention he’s quite a “looker”? With wavy black hair and cool blue eyes, he is unbelievably handsome. Who needs Patrick Dempsey? I’ve got my own Dr. McDreamy!

Scott Mattson
Submitted by Megan Mattson

My husband, Scott, has always been a great guy: very charming, funny, caring (and of course “hot”), but since the birth of our first child, Sophia, six months ago, he’s just become even hotter in my eyes! I can’t say enough good things about him.

He is part owner of a fairly new company called Select Automation, Inc. and works incredibly hard, long hours and even travels occasionally. But when he’s home, he cooks dinner, helps me clean the house—he even cleans the bathrooms! After my c-section he jumped right in changing diapers, swaddling and rocking our newborn to sleep. I don’t think I changed a single diaper for the first three days in the hospital.

But the greatest thing about him and what I find the “hottest” is watching him with our daughter. He loves to make her giggle and can’t wait to see her when he gets home at night. He runs in to get her out of her crib in the mornings on the weekends, and is still great at changing diapers! He’s been very supportive of my staying home and he recently began helping me to start a new career in photography. 

I also have to give him kudos for not batting an eye and being very welcoming when my parents come from New York and stay for a month at a time to see their granddaughter! I could go on and on about what a great husband and guy he is, but I’m sure you’re getting a lot of e-mails and will only have so much room for each husband. I appreciate being able to share how great Scott is!

Eric Brandon Suhre
Submitted by Nicole Suhre

I am the happy and proud wife of Eric Brandon Suhre. I have the distinct privilege of waking up every morning next to one of the most unique individuals I have ever known and getting to start every day not knowing what will happen next.

Every day is an adventure with Eric, and every day is a gift. My husband was born with cystic fibrosis, an often-fatal pulmonary disease, and has suffered this disease for 27 years. You would never know it. Eric is 6-feet tall with an athletic build and a smile to knock your socks off. His mother and stepfather raised him and his two brothers (the eldest of whom also has cystic fibrosis) to live positively. They have always believed that the best medicine is lots of love and optimism. No one in Eric’s inner circle lives as if there will be no tomorrow. Eric has brought that attitude into all aspects of his life.

Eric is the vice president and partner of Artifex, a graphic design company based in Baton Rouge and Covington, started by him and a childhood friend. His entrepreneurial spirit and his amazing artistic talent are incredibly sexy to me. Eric is a gifted graphic designer and photographer, but he can also sketch, paint, sculpt and build. Eric once had a show car that he built, modified and painted all himself. He raced the car locally and entered it into car shows all across the South, taking home first place nearly every time. I thought he couldn’t love anything more than that car, until I discovered one day that he was selling it for reasons I couldn’t understand. A few months later, he proposed to me with the most gorgeous “diamond-ring-that-used-to-be-a-car” that I had ever seen in my life!

In addition to an incredible work ethic, Eric serves as the Volunteer Leadership Initiative chair for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is planning on serving on an advisory council for adult CF patients in the region and has become the “unofficial” official photographer and designer for all my fundraising events at St. Tammany Hospital Foundation. He does it all with a smile.

I don’t think that there has ever been a person who met Eric that didn’t like him. My “Pookie,” as I have come to call him, is a total goofball. He is hilarious and funny—always the class clown—and has a way of making you feel at ease. We’re in Disney World and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular needs a volunteer? It’s always Eric. We’re at a wedding and, hey, where’s Eric? He’s on the floor cutting a rug with his signature “leg” dance move. (He may be hot, but he’s no Fred Astaire!)
Eric plays with our cousins like they’re his own kids and he will spend an hour rolling around on the floor with our puppy. He does the dishes after dinner and he takes my calling him “Pookie” in public all in stride. He drives around during Christmas blaring the Kenny G holiday CD as he checks out the lights because, “Hey man, I like it!” He marches to the beat of his own off-beat drummer, and I love him for it.

My husband keeps me in stitches, and one look in his crystal blue-green eyes still makes me feel like I’m on the biggest drop of a rollercoaster. I get goose bumps whenever he hugs me and I love it when other girls check out his good looks. So go ahead ladies, you can admire my “hot northshore hubby!” He is every bit as “hot” as he looks—inside and out.

IN would like to thank N’Tini’s Restaurant, Martin Wine Cellar and Pelican Athletic Club for providing the backdrop for this shoot.