Abby Campbell:  

Life FAMILY: I have been married for 18 years to a wonderful man that graduated from one of our rival schools (Garfield). His name is Robert Campbell and is my absolute best friend. We have three beautiful girls. Jana is 22, has autism, and now lives in a nursing home. Carter is 16, a high school senior, and going to one of the top 25 magnet high schools in the country. Mattie is 15, a high school sophomore, and a cheerleader. We are the all-American family with a 3-story colonial, 8 acres, and a Labrador Retriever. CAREER: I didn't go to college right after high school, but I went to work for Fairfax County Government's Office of Management and Budget. I was the Director's executive secretary for a couple of years. Then, I went into Cosmetic Management for designer cosmetics. While I was working full-time in the cosmetic field, I began to take classes at Strayer University since it was easy to find classes to fit around my working schedule as well as my family. It took me five years to receive my Bachelors degree in Business. While I was going to school my first year, I changed professions totally since I was starting my family with Rob (I gave birth to two children while going to school full-time as well as working full-time). I needed a 9-5 job to keep my life steady, so I went into legislative affairs for a trade association (commercial real estate)... how I ended up there, I don't know. It was definitely different from the cosmetic world, but it was similar to working for the government. As I soon found out, it wasn't always steady, but it was interesting because I learned a lot about politics when I faired a "D" in high school's American Government! I worked some on Capitol Hill and was privileged to meet several members of Congress. I graduated and retired during the same year at age 30. I then,homeschooled my children through the 7th grade. Since my girls started attending public school and now live lives pretty much of their own, I decided to go back to school to get my certifications in Fitness Nutrition and Personal Training. I own my own company geared towards women called 911 Body ResQ. RESIDENTIAL: I stayed around the Manassas area (Bristow/Gainesville) until August 2005. Rob had been working in Fairfax for about 12 years. We decided that the traffic was taking up too much of our family time together, so we took a leap of faith and moved from our hometown while leaving our extended families and friends behind. We now live in the Charlotte, NC, area. It's a little country town (such as The Plains or Marshall, VA) and would remind anyone of the little town of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. (Actually, Mayberry is not far from us.) We absolutely love it! SPIRITUAL: I don't believe in "religion" but a relationship with the One True God through Jesus Christ. I attended evangelical churches for many years until this past year. I don't believe that people must attend the 4 walls of a building to have a relationship with Almighty God. After all, it is a "personal" relationship. I believe God's two greatest commandments... to love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits... and to love others the way we love ourselves. I base every decision and word in life on these commandments. FUTURE: I just take one day at a time and try to enjoy the life God has given me. I love people, especially teens. They seem to be the "lost" generation that hurts and is seeking for love and attention. Since I've been in NC, I've been "Momma" in my little town. With whatever teen that crosses my path, it is my goal to teach them that there is more to life than drugs, alcohol, money, and sex... to lead them in a positive direction to be effective servants for their community and for GOD. HIGH SCHOOL: My biggest crush was on Johnny Mosemak (who passed away in 1993). He and I would make plans for the future (of owning our own company and getting married), although it was just platonic. It seemed that when one of us was "really" ready for a serious boy/girl relationship, the other was already involved with someone else. However, we were such good friends that we always counted on each other to talk about troubles... even after high school. In my senior year, I had run away to Georgia to get married. Yet, Johnny and I still kept in touch through a pay phone (this was before cells). He talked me out of getting married to someone I hardly knew. I thought maybe we would finally have our chance when I came back, but it didn't happen. In 1988, I finally did have my chance with Johnny, but I turned him down. We lost touch in early 1993, and I didn't even know that he was gone until 1997 when I saw his name on a church Easter memorial listing. I am still deeply saddened to this day of his absence in my world. I didn't really have a teacher who inspired me the most from Osbourn High. I can't even remember my teachers' names! If I could do it all over again, I don't believe I would relive my high school geeky years. I am very happy about what God has done for me and my life throughout the years. I am very content with the person I have become. When I was 16, I worked at Roy Rogers on the corner of Route 28 and Liberia Avenue. I had a blast working there with many of our classmates (including Alton Corbin, Kelly Brusso, and Mike Spiller). Every so often (if we worked late), we would meet up with Robby Estep (God rest his soul) who worked right down the street at the Colonial Restaurant and go joy-riding. Since my parents were so strict, that was definitely a highlight. I loved hanging out with my classmate and neighbor friend, Bill Curran. He was a crazy dude at times, but we always had a blast! One time, my dad took my '65 Mustang show car (bought from Paul Oxley's dad) away from me as a punishment. He drove it to work at the Pentagon. My dad was smart enough to know that I might do something crazy, so he unplugged the spark plugs and locked down (chained) the hood. And, he was right! Bill and I skipped school that day and went down to the Pentagon parking lot with a plan! Fortunately for me (at the time), Bill knew just how to get the hood unlocked and fixed the spark plugs! That day, we stole my own car! After being such great friends with Bill, I had to eventually break his heart when he wanted more than just our wonderful friendship. I adore the memories I share with Bill, and I'm so happy to say that we are buddies again via phone and internet. My best girlfriend was Marci Ferguson (from the class of '85). We had a blast, as naive young girls, cruising the town and blasting our be-bopping musi...Expand for more