By Maddy Vitale
Julie Baumgardner and Mike Perkins both grew up in Ocean City.
Yet their paths never crossed.
Until 2014, five years after the two of them lost their significant others, Baumgardner’s fiancé and Perkin’s wife of 30 years. It was within a week of each other in February 2009.
Their mutual friends, Peaches and Mike Lukens, who are in charge of the Community Christmas Dinner at St. Peter’s Methodist Church in Ocean City, knew they had at least two things in common – their friendship with Peaches and Mike and their passion for volunteering.
“She came over and asked for aluminum foil,” Perkins, 66, said with a smile as he looked at Baumgardner Sunday, as the two of them helped prepare for Tuesday’s Christmas meal. “I was struck. I asked Mike if I could have her number.”
The two dated, moved in together, and live in Upper Township happily with their dogs.
“We didn’t waste any time because we’re old,” Baumgardner, 59, said with a laugh.
But finding love again was not something either of them expected.
“Our relationship is special,” Baumgardner said. “Just the fact that we met each other after I lost my fiancé and Mike lost his wife. We understand each other.”
Every year they make they volunteer at the dinner. Baumgardner is in charge of takeout dinners and deliveries. Perkins specializes in kitchen duty.
Perkins helped Baumgardner spread tablecloths Sunday in preparation for the dinner.
They joked as they placed cookie trays neatly on the table. Baumgardner attempted a straight face and then laughed as she pretended to direct Perkins to straighten one of the tablecloths.
The church dinner brought them together, they said. They explained that their bond, their friendship with the Lukens family, and the fellowship they find each year as they work together to provide a meal for those in need, and those in need of company, is priceless.
“I have been doing the dinner since 2010. That is how we met,” Baumgardner said. “We really enjoy it. We plan on helping out for as long as they need us.”
Perkins said the dinner is the couple’s favorite part of Christmas because they get to spend time among longtime friends and make new friends.
“This is the best part of Christmas,” he said.
Peaches Lukens said the Baumgardner and Perkins are two of she and Mike Luken’s closest friends.
“They are funny and a fun couple. They love to sail and they love Cape May and dogs, so we weave our two lives with theirs often,” she noted. “They are easy people to get along with and as you age, that means something.”
While Julie and Mike focus on the non-commercial side of the holiday, there have been gifts they have appreciated from each other on Christmas.
They agreed their best gift came in 2014 when they found love again.
Last year, Perkins, a retired carpenter, said Baumgardner gave him one of the most thoughtful gifts he ever received.
She gave him singing lessons.
“My father used to sing on the Music Pier. Julie knew it was special to me so she gave me voice lessons,” Perkins said with a grin. “I am going to sing in the choir.”
