W&J Love Stories

Vince and I were both freshman when we met in the fall of 1975. He was a flirtatious, fun loving biology and art major and I was a nerdy premed. But something drew us to each other and we soon became best friends. We ate together, studied together (well, I studied, he usually just fell asleep with a book on his chest) and generally hung out together.

Soon, many of our friends were saying we should date. I thought this would be a fine idea, but Vince was afraid it would ruin our friendship. By the beginning of junior year, he was in a serious relationship with someone. He was even contemplating proposing to her and was going to have me help him pick out the engagement ring. Despite our friends saying that we were right for each other, I had given up hope that we would ever be more than just friends.

Then, we returned from winter break, and Vince realized he was happier to see me than he was to see his potential fiancee. A small light bulb went off in his male brain and he broke up with his girlfriend. Military Ball was around the corner. One of my friends suggested that Vince might ask me to it. My comment was that "the moon will fall into my lap before VInce Volkar asks me out on a date. We are just friends and that is all we will ever be"

Unbeknownst to me, some members of Student Christian Association had decided that the members should go as a group to Mil Ball. They went around to available males and showed them a list of available females. Vince's answer was "the only person I would go to Mil Ball with would be my buddy, my pal, Judy Keene"

About one hour later, the moon dropped into my lap.

We went to the dance, but I kept my expectations low. We were just friends going to a dance. But sometime during the course of the evening, Vince started to look at me in a different light. To this day, it is a matter of intense debate as to who kissed whom first (he did) but suffice it to say, our relationship changed.We began to date. and were engaged a few months later.

We got married July 7, 1979, after graduation. I was to start medical school. We had no money, no car , no job, but we were in love! And so the adventure began.

Flash forward to thirty one years later.It truly has been an adventure. We have had the usual ups and downs of life,watched each other's back and been each other's cheerleader.We have two children who live on opposite ends of the country and are now empty nesters.Through it all, we have remained best friends who are still madly in love.

So, while W &J may be known for its academics, I will always be grateful to the college for giving me the love of my life.

        - Judy Keene Volkar