?When Teresa Rowell and Eric Hake’s 9-year-old daughter, Julia, asked a simple question about Christmas, it fueled a walk down memory lane and a holiday donation.
Julia asked her parents how many Christmases they’d spent together.
The couple counted up the years and informed their curious daughter they had spent 25 Christmases together.
In the end, the conversation led Teresa to make a $25 donation to the Christmas Happiness fund in honor of the number of holidays she and her husband have shared.
The annual fund helps low-income families provide presents for their children. The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts donations.
The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.
The two met in college in 1987 and began dating shortly before Christmas of that same year.
Teresa was a 17-year-old waitress at a Sam and Andy’s restaurant on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Eric was a history student at the university. He is now an economics professor at Catawba College.
“I worked there and he would come in with the history students,” Teresa said.
It was Teresa who first approached Eric and asked about going out. Eric turned her down, but not long afterwards he asked her out.
This is the first year she’s given to the fund, but the couple have regularly given to other charitable causes, including the Rowan County United Way and Rowan Helping Ministries.
“I liked the idea and it’s local,” she said.
Teresa’s only wish is next year to give a larger donation.
In July, the couple will celebrate 23 years of marriage.
She said her husband didn’t know about the donation and the gesture behind it — but he will now.
Bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them to The Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.
Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donations to be listed.
Friday’s contributions:
In honor of SS teachers Lou Gamewell, Polly Fisher, and Barbara Moose by Dora Earnhardt SS class Faith Lutheran Church $50
Daryl and Phillip for all they do for our community by Pennie and Dick $100
In loving memory of my wife Ada, my parents Robert and Marie Mills, and my sister Pat Lowman. In lieu of cards to family and friends. I love and miss you all by Jerry $200
In honor of our 25th Christmas together by Teresa Rowell and Eric Hake $25
In memory of Jene Miller and Richard Miller and in honor of the other family members by Leo Miller $400
In memory of our Daddy, Norman Pethel by Mike and Cathy Lyerly $50
In honor of our mother, Doris Pethel by Mike and Cathy Lyerly $50
In honor of our parents, Joe and Sue Lyerly by Mike and Cathy Lyerly $50
In memory of Almeda Love Lowery and Judy Lowery Lackey by Loving Family $100
In honor of Richard L. Stoner by Marie’s Print Shop $50
In memory of Katherine Faye Giles anonymous $50
In honor of Jill and Wayne by Mom $50
Anonymous $50
In honor of my eight grandchildren: Michael, Jessie, Nathan, Dylan, Cory, Aubrey, Lucas, and Justin by Carol Pomeroy $100
Anonymous $30
In honor of Sally and JP by Jim and Anne $25
In memory of Beryl and Richard by Jim and Anne $100
Third Thursday Bridge Club $21.70
In honor of Chester and Marie Wall and in memory of Hayden and Glenna Lingle with love from Glenn and Sue Wall $100
In memory of Donald and Margaret Carter by Summie and Debbie $100
Anonymous $5
Total $1,706.70
Running total $16,106.70
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.