The First Time I Met My Wife She Kicked Me Out Of Another Girl's Room...

It was my Freshman year at Wittenberg University--her Junior and she was a Resident Advisor. In those glorious days at South Hall we were co-ed by floor. One of the chief responsibilities of the RA was to enforce visitation hours. No men on the ladies floor after midnight on weekdays. Well, I was guilty. It was 12:30 on a Tuesday. The very first Tuesday. Actually, it was my very first night on campus and I was already busted. I was hanging out after hours with my new roommate and a friend from high school and her roommate. We were doing our best to dip our toes into the shallow end of college life--playing cards and talking. Then the knock came. A fateful knock. We opened the door and there stood Deanna. I was a clean nosed kid throughout high school. Already, on my first night, I was breaking rules and getting kicked out!

As Deanna opened the door I wish I could tell you the fog machine kicked on, the spotlight honed in on her stunning smile, and the neighboring room started to blare the Goo Goo Dolls. It was not love at first sight. It was fear at first knock. My roommate and I were so weary of being busted that when my roommate forgot his hat in the room and we called up to say we'd get it tomorrow. And, just in case you are keeping score, Gretchen, my high school friend who's room we were in, she is now the Goddaughter of one of our girls.

Different Paths/Merging Stories

Wittenberg has always been a vital part of my story. As a kid I would travel over to Witt for football and basketball games. I spent a week in the HPER center every summer through middle school at the Wittenberg Basketball Summer Camp . Even in my own search for schools, the magnetism of Wittenberg drew me in and didn't let me go. It was a little different for Deanna. She doesn't even remember applying. On her overnight stay there was a mix up of signals as she was matched up with polar opposites. She left campus on that visit vowing not to return. But return she did. And I'm forever grateful. Of course our story didn't stop with that fateful knock. It began. It was right before winter exams that first year that the seeds of love and connection were really planted. They began to bloom and grow by Summer break.

That was 24 years ago. And throughout these years, Wittenberg has always been home. It has always been a place where we can recall the memories of late night conversations and spur of the moment excursions. We only had one class together during those years--Psych Stats. I was glad she sat next to me, it was her elbow that was the only reason I was able to stay awake! We have so many memories that are ours. And yet, I know so many other Witt couples that we share them with. Maybe that is one of the reasons I love Wittenberg so much. We all have our unique experiences and yet we share them as well. Maybe, just maybe, this is a bit of the light we pass on to others.

For Deanna and me, it was a spur of the moment stroll and kiss across the kissing bridge to seal that mythical A on her Art History Final. It was those late night conversations dreaming about our future to the soundtrack of JackoPierce. She used to make me pause the movie we were watching so she could go to the DG house and move her clothes to the dryer. Even then, Deanna thought of everything--including the blanket to lay on in the hollow on that first glorious day of Spring when the whole campus was outside and life was as God intended.

Passing Light

Today is founders day. A time when we celebrate and give thanks for Ezra Keller and his faithfulness in establishing this place that we love. Wittenberg has been a constant force in our lives. It certainly shaped Deanna and I while we were on campus. And it continues to bear significance as we move forward. It's why we continue to support and be involved on campus today. Deanna and I are delighted to offer a challenge gift for all of you Wittenberg Couples with our 1:1 match of up to $1,875 for the Wittenberg Scholarship Fund. Let's help raise up more Tigers. Maybe some of them have been connected to campus from the start. Maybe some won't even remember filling out the application. Maybe they, too, will find each other and a new Tiger #WittWed couple will be formed. Or, maybe not. Regardless, supporting the Wittenberg Opportunity Scholarship will have a powerful impact. So, for all you #WittWed couples, tell your story, and support this place that helped your love to blossom and grow!

Every gift counts today – no matter the size! Gifts from alumni, parents and friends combine to support Wittenberg’s mission driven, student-centered education on #Commit2Witt. Deanna and I are ambassadors for #Commit2Witt because we want to ensure that current and future students have the same life-changing Wittenberg experience that we did. Join us by making your gift today to help Wittenberg students realize the future they envision.