Two young freshmen, Veronica and Bill, met by chance during their first semester at Virginia Commonwealth University. Their shared major in health-related fields brought them together for nearly all of their classes. What started as casual conversations between classmates blossomed into a deep friendship and eventually love. Despite the lack of modern communication tools like cell phones, they spent countless hours talking on landlines or face-to-face. Over time, their bond grew stronger, leading to a lifetime commitment that has lasted for over three decades.
The Spark of Friendship
Veronica and Bill’s story began with a series of coincidences. Both pursuing health-related majors, they found themselves sharing almost every class during their freshman year. Bill often chose to sit behind Veronica, using homework questions as an excuse to engage in conversation. These interactions gradually turned into genuine discussions about their lives and interests. The absence of smartphones meant they relied on landline calls, which often stretched late into the night. This constant communication helped solidify their friendship, laying the foundation for something more profound.
As the weeks passed, Bill and Veronica’s relationship evolved from mere acquaintances to close friends. They would meet after classes to walk together down Franklin Street, where Bill lived and Veronica worked. One evening, they decided to watch a free movie at The Commons, grabbing pizza beforehand. This casual outing marked a turning point in their relationship. Soon, they were making room for each other in their daily routines, considering each other’s opinions on important decisions. Friends and family began to notice how inseparable they had become, signaling the depth of their connection.
A Lifetime Commitment
Their bond deepened further as they continued to spend more time together. Veronica, noticing a potential rival in Bill’s lab partner, took action by ordering a vanity plate that read “BLS GRL,” symbolizing her claim on Bill. This small gesture became a lasting testament to their relationship. By the next fall, they were engaged and moved into an apartment together. VCU remained a significant part of their lives, supporting them through various milestones. Today, they celebrate anniversaries at basketball tournaments and continue to cherish the university that brought them together.
Nearly 35 years later, Veronica and Bill remain devoted to each other and to VCU. Their oldest child, Adam, is now a freshman at the same university, continuing the family tradition. As he walks to class, he passes a brick on the Shafer Court pathway, inscribed with “Where it Began | The Gaballahs.” This serves as a daily reminder of the impact VCU has had on their family, from the moment they met as 17-year-olds to raising three children and celebrating over three decades of marriage.
