The first time I met her I felt her warmth. Like a day with bright sunshine, everything felt better. It was the last night of Samford University’s campus ministries retreat in August of 1975. I married Peggy Skinner exactly three years later– August 22, 1978.
Our first meeting was all small talk in the midst of a dozen or more friends. I’m not sure she noticed me, but I sure remember her and the way her eyes sparkled. They still do. We had all gathered just inside the entrance of the retreat lodge, about to make our way to a typical late night “Kumbaya” bonfire. She was standing there with her older brother Larry who towered over her like a personal bodyguard– making sure she made friends, but keeping any fast moving guys at arms length just by the look on his face. My roommate and closest friend, Andy, spoke a little Spanish– and practiced it on Peggy and Larry. She spoke back to him in Spanish. How I wished I could speak Spanish that day!
