Bill, you can add my name next to the definition of procrastinator!!  I have meaning to write this for weeks & have been wracking my brain trying to remember what I've been doing for the last 40 years. .. here goes.....

I, Teri Grainger Collins, remember growing up in Mt Lebanon where my phone number was 531-1234 and I lived at 567 Crystal Drive.  After graduation I attended Edinboro State College on the five year plan.  I took a year's break after my freshman year and returned to Pittsburgh.  I went back to being a directory assistance operator at Bell of PA.  The only thing I remember about that job is working over Christmas break in 1972. On December 23rd the switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree.  This was due to the fact that the famed Pittsburgh Steeler, Franco Harris,   had just made the immaculate reception!

I quit that job in June of 1974 and went to Virginia Beach for the summer with Delphine Teolis.  After the summer of sun and fun, I returned to Edinboro and changed my major to Social Work.  During my junior year I took an Urban Sociology class and met the man I would later marry....Tom Collins.  (What a coincidence, I met a man who had the name of my favorite college day's drink!! )

After marrying, Tom and I moved to Willoughby Hills Ohio in 1978.  He got a position in a Dental Laboratory and I found a position in Electronics Sales.  In 1981 we purchased our first home and I became pregnant with our first child. We were of course thrilled, but then the Dental practice that supported the Dental Laboratory broke up and Tom lost his job. My husband decided to go out on his own and opened Collins Dental Laboratory.  I remember struggling and having to return to work sooner than I wanted to after having our daughter Chelsey.  In 1985 our son Patrick was born.  When he was a little over a year I became a stay at home Mom.  I had a mini daycare in my home for a couple years and Tom was building his business.  When Chelsey and Patrick were school age I went back into Sales at a small family owned business.  I worked there for 10 years and learned so much from the wonderful couple who owned the business.  I marveled at their business relationship so perfectly intertwined with their marriage.  I've had two jobs since then, and my favorite all time job is that of wife and mother.  My favorite years were those that I may not have been "gainfully employed" but I was supporting and nurturing my family in other ways.  For the past 12 years I've been employed at the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities in the Adult Services department. It was a huge change from sales, but has filled my need to nurture, since Tom and I are empty nesters.  Now, I spend more time walking the dog, reading, relaxing with Tom and attending weddings. Tom is from a family of 15 children and we have 55 nieces and nephews just on his side!!  

Our daughter Chelsey married in 2009 and teaches 2nd grade.  She and her husband live nearby.  Our son Patrick recently got his PharmD at Ohio State University and is a Pharmacist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.  

 The attached picture is the most recent I could find of me & my better half.  Since it was taken I've earned more wrinkles, added pounds, and supported the hair color industry.  It's been fun recalling the Mt Lebo years through the website, emails, & Facebook. 

I'm looking forward to next weekend.

Thank You to the great reunion committee!!