Share
Nancy, 68, and Paul, 69, met in the summer of 1965 in a graduate-level analysis class at UNC Chapel Hill. The couple, who both studied mathematics, married July 23, 1966 and now live in Salisbury. Paul tells their story.
Meant to impress: I was a grad student and Nancy was a rising senior visiting from Hollins College in Roanoke. I was amazed there was a really beautiful and really intelligent girl in my class. I had to catch her attention and spent hours every night solving the hardest problems assigned by our professor. The next day, the professor would ask for volunteers and I’d leap up to present my solutions in an attempt to impress her.
Summer love: One of my math friends was giving a party so I finally worked up the courage to approach Nancy. I’d prepared myself for rejection but she said yes. I had just picked her up and shut her door when a Stag Horn Beetle – at least 4 inches long – landed on the hood of my VW. My brother was studying entomology so I grabbed it for him and tossed it in the glove compartment. Despite the huge bug scratching around, Nancy and I still hit it off.
On the cheap: After that, we had many study dates that turned into walks through the arboretum or sitting outside Duke chapel, listening to music majors play Bach’s “Toccata and fugue in D minor” on the pipe organ. Dates had to be cheap since I was working my way through school, but I still made her laugh.
By the numbers: The next summer Nancy and I got married at Hollins College. A lot has happened over the last 46 years, but she says each year our marriage gets better.
Hilary Trenda
TELL US YOUR LOVE STORY
E-mail htrenda@charlotteobserver.com. Type "love story" in subject field. Include full names, ages, address, daytime phone number, wedding date, photo. To read past Love Stories: www.charlotteobserver.com/love.
