Dennis was like a second dad to me. Gretchen and I met in math class in our El Paso middle school and quickly became close "midwest-roots" friends. Her family welcomed me like I was another daughter. I loved the way the Hoover Family lived life. Dennis and Jean's love ran deep. Vivid memories of them include Happy Hour at The Pelican every Friday evening, and whenever Dennis had to take a business trip, Jean was teary and missed him terribly until he returned. Relationships were the top priority in their lives, and I was grateful and blessed to feel like another daughter.
The Hoovers invited me to vacation with them multiple times in Holden Beach. These trips still rank in the top experiences of my life. I marveled at how Dennis "did vacation." Every morning over coffee, he would announce the day's events that would usually unfold like this:
-Running 3-5 miles
-Hang out on the beach until lunch
-Beachside wiffleball game @ 1:00
-Clamming at 4:00
-Happy hour and freshly caught steamed clams on the back deck at 6:00
-Laughing and storytelling after dinner
-Cards (we loved playing Hearts) until the wee hours of the morning
We would get up and do it all over again! Of course, Dennis made sure everyone knew that all the events were optional, but I made sure I joined in for everything. It was just too fun to miss! In between all of those planned events, we were all throwing the nerf football, taking long walks along the beach, and analyzing life, sitting and talking in our low beach chairs for hours. Such sweet times.
Fast forward about 15 years, and I had the honor of bringing my own sons (Ryan, age 10 and Andy, age 7 at the time) to the Hoover household in Michigan. They were thrilled to experience the Magic Box, the handmade bike ramps, trips into the woods for wild blackberries, the basement train setup, and the most famous landmark of all - - The Field of Dreams. Baseball for hours!! They still talk about that trip and how FUN it was. It was evident to me that Dennis Hoover had boundless energy and a childlike wonder for life that could not be dimmed.
Dennis and the entire Hoover family, you impacted my life in profound ways. I am so grateful for you and your acceptance and love for me. Dennis was an incredible uncle, dad, husband, and friend. I miss him already.
The Hoovers invited me to vacation with them multiple times in Holden Beach. These trips still rank in the top experiences of my life. I marveled at how Dennis "did vacation." Every morning over coffee, he would announce the day's events that would usually unfold like this:
-Running 3-5 miles
-Hang out on the beach until lunch
-Beachside wiffleball game @ 1:00
-Clamming at 4:00
-Happy hour and freshly caught steamed clams on the back deck at 6:00
-Laughing and storytelling after dinner
-Cards (we loved playing Hearts) until the wee hours of the morning
We would get up and do it all over again! Of course, Dennis made sure everyone knew that all the events were optional, but I made sure I joined in for everything. It was just too fun to miss! In between all of those planned events, we were all throwing the nerf football, taking long walks along the beach, and analyzing life, sitting and talking in our low beach chairs for hours. Such sweet times.
Fast forward about 15 years, and I had the honor of bringing my own sons (Ryan, age 10 and Andy, age 7 at the time) to the Hoover household in Michigan. They were thrilled to experience the Magic Box, the handmade bike ramps, trips into the woods for wild blackberries, the basement train setup, and the most famous landmark of all - - The Field of Dreams. Baseball for hours!! They still talk about that trip and how FUN it was. It was evident to me that Dennis Hoover had boundless energy and a childlike wonder for life that could not be dimmed.
Dennis and the entire Hoover family, you impacted my life in profound ways. I am so grateful for you and your acceptance and love for me. Dennis was an incredible uncle, dad, husband, and friend. I miss him already.