When a student comes to Berea College, it becomes a cornerstone of their life story. The world-class education they receive, the resources provided to them, and the mentorship and guidance they get from the College’s faculty and staff are all vital in helping them reach their full potential. But for some alumni like Charles ’56 and Dorothy ’56 Larew, Berea isn’t just a part of their life story—it’s a part of their love story.

Charles and Dorothy Larew with Mckenzie ‘25, a recipient of their endowed scholarship fund.

The story of Charles and Dorothy’s romance begins before they ever even met each other, with a bicycle that belonged to Charles’ brother Wilbur. “In the fall of 1948 my brother, Wilbur Larew, enrolled in Berea College. He purchased a used Raleigh bike that fall,” said Charles. “It was a state-of-the-art bike at that time. Our family used this bike at Berea for ten years.” Then as now, a bicycle was a great way for students to get around campus.

In 1953, during Charles’ time at Berea with the family bicycle, he loaned it to one of his classmates. The roommate of his future wife Dorothy borrowed it to go on a bike hike one Saturday afternoon. The day went by quickly, and by the time evening arrived she found she didn’t have enough time to return it—she had a date that night and didn’t want to be late. Luckily, her roommate Dorothy agreed to return the bike to Charles for her. Unbeknownst to Dorothy, however, one of the bicycle’s tires had gone flat that afternoon. This small favor for her roommate had quickly become much more of a chore than she’d originally thought, but Dorothy was a woman of her word. She pushed the bike all the way from Kentucky Hall to Berea’s dairy barn where Charles was living.

When Dorothy arrived at the dairy barn and returned the bike to Charles, he was quite taken with her.

“That was our first meeting one-on-one. I was impressed that she would agree to do this unpleasant task,” Charles said. “She was also cute with big dimples in her cheeks.”

A year later, the two of them started dating. A few more years later, in December of 1956, they got engaged. Then, in September of 1959, they were married.

(Left) Charles and Dorothy Larew during their time as students at Berea. (Right) Charles and Dorothy Larew departing for their honeymoon.

After Wilbur and Charles’ brother Tully graduated in 1958, the Larew family bicycle made its way back to Wilbur, its original owner. It sat in his machine shed all the way until 2017, when Charles bought it from him. He had something exciting in mind for it: “I purchased the bike for a decoration for our 60th wedding anniversary,” said Charles. “This bicycle has a very special place in our lives.”

(Left) The bicycle on display at the Larews’ 60^th wedding anniversary. (Right) Charles and Dorothy Larew at their 60^th wedding anniversary.

For so many students and alumni like Charles and Dorothy, Berea College plays a vital role in their life stories and their love stories. The lifelong love of Charles and Dorothy reminds us that love is what the College was founded on. From all of us here at Berea, Happy Valentine’s Day.