Happy Anniversary, Jeff and Nadine!

Meet Jeff: 

I just met Jeff today, because he came by camp to replace the board he is holding in his hand with this new board on the railing at the old tabernacle:

Was it old or defunct? you might ask. Is he a railing replacement specialist? No. He is nothing more or less than a man willing to be unashamedly sentimental in the name of love. 

Today is the five-year anniversary of his marriage to his wife, Nadine, and because the traditional gift for the fifth anniversary is something made of wood he decided to make for Nadine a picture frame using this piece of railing. As you may already suspect, the former location of this weathered, old 2x4 holds a special meaning for the couple. It was at this very spot that Jeff mustered the courage to ask Nadine for her phone number at a church picnic. She handed over her digits and the rest is history. 

 This is the photo Jeff is planning to frame with his gift. 

Sorry it's blurry. So it goes with photos of photos.

Thus they began their life together at Ferncliff, and Ferncliff has seen them through a number of family milestones in the years since; Jeff and Nadine were both baptized here--as was Jonah (much later)--and it was at the couple's joint baptism ceremony that Jeff chose to propose. So it seems just as Ferncliff visitors and campers learn to love one another as Jesus asked us to, they can also lay a foundation for a life of happiness as life partners, parents, and friends. The Ferncliff staff is honored to have been such an integral part of your path, and we hope to continue to be. Happy Anniversary!!


[Nadine, be proud of your husband. He was forced to tell this story multiple times and he endured more than a few "ahhhwwww"s to be able to give you his gift.]