these were my dad's files (a lot from Pine Rest) (dad died in Feb 2026 by my side actually at the age of 90). But the reason the name Matt Alferink caught my eye was that first, his dad was a CRC pastor who knew my dad. But 2nd, his sister, Michelle, wanted to date me, not because she liked me, but because she was a rival of her friend Kathy Lawrence, who I was sort of "seeing". Michelle & Kathy attended east Kentwood together and then went to Calvin College. Jerry Alferink, the pastor, worked in churches Redlands (CA) (where my brother lives now) and also in Denver CO (where my aunt attended church at that time). By the time I was in college Michelle was there as well. I don't remember how I met her and didn't know that her "like" towards me was feigned just because of her rivalry with Kathy. So I think I only "dated" if you want to call it that, Michelle once. Later, when I was at work (at Pine Rest of all places, as a mental health worker) I called her house to talk to her (still thinking she was a possible relationship, or maybe just a friend) and her brother answered (Matt) and said Michelle was not there at the moment. I must have said "Where is she?" - meaning it innocently- thinking he might give me some information about when she might be back and I could call back etc. I forgot how our call ended but apparently he relayed my call to her and apparently made it sound different than what I intended. Still at work, I received a call back from her and she just screamed and hollered angrily at me about "How dare I ask where she is... " etc etc etc. I was stunned. This is little Calvin College Grand Rapids- mostly innocent decent "college kids" including me. . This was also way before dating apps and cell phones etc. This is old school stuff. And it's all the more bizarre now knowing that her dad and my dad were friends or colleagues. I've seen other file material where her dad speaks fondly of my dad as a colleague or CPE supervisor etc. And we even have a Christmas card in our family photo album from the Alferinks when Matt & Michelle were much younger. Of course I didn't know these family connections at the time. But I wonder if she did. Or was this purely something about her rivalry with Kathy ? Whatever it was, it was unethical to treat me the way she did. I resented it for a long time but have forgiven Matt & Michelle in my heart. And now it makes a funny story to tell of the "not so good ol days" ha ha. God bless them. .
