There are always good reasons to come to high school reunions, but two of our classmates found that an old friendship can turn into love and marriage. After previous marriages, children and divorces, Jessie and Wes “discovered” each other at our 30th class reunion and married in January 1993. Wes has two children, Chad and Julie, and Jessie has one son, Steve. Now their children have blessed Wes and Jessie with a grand total of six grandchildren and four step grandchildren.
After high school, Jessie attended Huntingdon College, and then received a math degree from UAH. She began working with computers while employed in the space program in Huntsville. Afterwards she spent twenty-five years as a consultant, specializing in Human Resource software. Her contracts involved significant travel, including Turkey, Brazil, England, Canada, and Malaysia. She accepted a permanent position with her last client, Wake Forest University. She likes this job so much that she intends to stay until she retires.
Wesley got a degree in microbiology from the University of North Alabama and worked with the Alabama Public Health Service and in tobacco research for several years. For the last thirty years, he has sold corrugated boxes. (Yes, he sells empty boxes!) He currently works for Packaging Corporation of America, basing him in western Tennessee.
You might have guessed that since Wes works in west Tennessee, and Jessie works in North Carolina, this is not an everyday kind of marriage. Wes “stays” at their farm outside Jackson, Tennessee, and Jessie “stays” at their home in Lewisville, NC. They are at home at both places with a lot of phoning and traveling to see each other and the grandchildren. They plan to retire in the Smokie Mountains, where they often meet for weekends.
Jessie spends her free time decorating clothing, towels, etc. with her high-tech embroidery machine. She also quilts. Wesley is a scratch golfer whose other favorite pastime is BUSH HOGGING (Can you believe it?) on their farm.
Both Wes and Jessie are fortunate to still have their parents. Their blended family keeps them busy and brings them great pleasure and satisfaction.
