12/26/2025
We met by complete chance while we were both in college back in New Jersey. His school was mostly men, mine was mostly women, so people would wander between campuses to grab a Coke or a bite to eat. We didn’t see each other often, but one day we happened to be in the same place at the same time — and that was it.
Sixty-four years later, it still feels hard to believe. We married young and began a life that took us far beyond what either of us imagined. Because of his work, we moved often — sometimes before we’d even fully settled in. Each new place meant starting over, learning a new town, and building community again. Our daughter grew up moving with us, which wasn’t always easy, but she grew into someone strong, independent, and grounded.
We came to Oregon in 1969 and, after years of living all over, it finally felt like somewhere we could stay. We built careers, found meaningful work, and even started a small business together. Along the way, we met people who became lifelong friends, traveled when we could, and said yes to experiences we never expected to have.
Looking back now, the moves, the changes, and the unknowns were all part of the story. What started as a random meeting on a college campus turned into a lifetime of partnership, adventure, and shared purpose. We didn’t always know where life would take us — but we knew we were in it together, and that made all the difference.
-Ron and Linda
