MY BASKET

Building A Life Together

Building A Life Together

Two weeks after Pops proposed they got married, and this time headed back to North Haven together, where GiGi began teaching third grade. A year later they were expecting their first baby, Nick’s sister Nicole.

Not long after, my honey Nick, Jr. came along, and shortly after that their nephew Tony came to live with them too.

Pops and GiGi were elated over their growing family, but they were also struggling. GiGi jokes that they had happiness enough to share, but unfortunately, they were not taking that as payment at the light company.

Pops needed to bring in some extra income, and quick. So, he started doing construction jobs on the side to make a little cash. In no time at all, he had to hire a small crew, as word spread that he was the best in the business. 

A year later, his side jobs were paying more than his actual job. Pops and GiGi decided to take another leap of faith and started Noel Construction Company. 

Pops eventually quit his job at the factory to focus on building their business full-time, and GiGi kept teaching while also managing their home, and helping Pops with the books. They describe that time as the lean years, living on peas and a prayer. But they always follow-up to say, despite it all, God always provided.

By their fourth year in business, things were looking up. More people were moving to North Haven, and construction was at an all time high. GiGi and Pops were so grateful for all the community support. They wanted to do something to give back, like GiGi’s Daddy had challenged her to do so long ago.

GiGi thought of all the kids she had met at school that September. Many came from homes just like theirs had been, with lots of love, but little else. She and Pops decided this was an area where they could make a difference, and just a few weeks before Christmas, held the first North Haven Holiday Give Back.

For 35 years now, GiGi and Pops have partnered with the local after-school center to sponsor an annual Christmas celebration for the community. It happens the first Saturday in December and is without a doubt the biggest holiday bash you can imagine.

The kids put on a short production for their parents, followed by a huge feast for the whole family, and a special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all their elves. There’s singing, dancing, and so much fun, as everyone is swept up in the magic of the season.

At the end of evening, each child leaves with a book and a toy. Moms and Dads leave with a little something for themselves too, along with a box of special treats from my new bakery, Sweet Thangz.

It’s a whole family affair, and Pops has gotten other businesses in the community on board too. GiGi usually spearheads all the planning, which starts in July.

But this year, everything changed. Pops got sick.