Inspire, Summer 2005

I am not an alum, but I am forever grateful for a friendship that began at Cedarville and continues to be a blessing more than 40 years later. As a result of roommates who stayed in touch well beyond leaving Cedarville, I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. My mother, Betty Smythe Willinger ’63, and Aloha Patch ’63 met in their freshman year while living in what is now known as Patterson Hall. Mom and Aloha spent their second year as roommates. The following year Mom moved home while Aloha finished her biology degree. After college, Aloha moved to California while Mom settled in Ohio. The friends kept in frequent contact and occasionally visited. Cedarville reunions provided a favorite opportunity to reconnect and spend extended time together. Mom married in 1966, and I was born in 1969. Aloha never married but was especially close to her great-nephew, Aaron Lynn ’98, whom she helped raise. Aaron was born a month before me, and Mom tells stories about how whenever Aloha would shop for her nephew, she could not resist buying a cute baby girl outfit to send to her friend back in Ohio. I have fond memories of getting Christmas and birthday presents from Aloha. Mom shared many stories of her college friends, and I was thrilled when they would visit. I especially enjoyed when Aloha came all the way from California to see us. On those occasions, she would invite me to visit her in California. That dream trip was set in my mind early on, and finally I coerced my parents to allow me to take Aloha up on her offer. In the summer before my senior year of high school, I flew to southern California to spend two weeks with Aloha. Little did I know that trip would change the course of my life. Wanting me to have someone my age to connect with, Aloha arranged for Aaron, whom I had not previously met, to be my tour guide at Disneyland. We had a wonderful time. It was love at first sight. The following Christmas, Aaron came to Ohio to meet my family before enlisting in the Marines. While Aaron was stationed on the East Coast, he was able to visit me while I attended college. When he got out of the Marines, he moved to Cincinnati to be near me. After my sophomore year, we married. Aloha, of course, was delighted and served as our unofficial wedding photographer. Now Mom’s college friend who spoiled me as a child is my in-law! After I graduated from college, Aaron decided to pursue his degree. We joked about the possibility of him going to Cedarville, but since we lived miles away we never took the idea seriously. But God had other plans. My first job brought us to nearby Springfield, and the possibility of Aaron attending Cedarville then became reality. Aaron graduated in 1998. That celebration provided another opportunity for Mom and Aloha to reunite. They were joined by fellow alumna and close friend Barb Hemenway Kurtz ’62. Aloha and Barb grew up together in Minnesota, and while at Cedarville, Aloha introduced Barb to my mom and thus the circle of friends affectionately referred to as “The Three Lady Bugs” was completed. As life changes for The Three Lady Bugs, they continue to grow closer. Now retired, the friends are able to spend more time together. They call each other frequently and eagerly plan yearly trips. Besides visiting each other’s home states, together they’ve visited Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Maine. This fall, The Three Lady Bugs will invade Nashville. Watching my mom and her friends enjoy and nurture their relationship is a beautiful picture of Christian friendship. What a wonderful example these women are setting for me and my daughters. As I reflect on God’s hand in my life, I am thankful for Cedarville and how my mom made “Friends for Life.” 24 Summer 2005 Thanks to Mom and Aloha A s t o r y b y B r e n d a Ly n n a s t o l d t o C e s s n a C a t h e r i n e Wi n s l ow The Lynn family — Aaron ’98, Annalee, Abigail, and Brenda — would not exist were it not for a special set of Cedarville friends. The Three Lady Bugs — Barb Hemenway Kurtz ’62, Betty Smythe Willinger ’63, and Aloha Patch ’63 — enjoy a trip to Gill’s Rock, Wisconsin in October 2002.