At their CERT graduation, Charles Hull and Virginia Krista are flanked by Dick Aarons, left, the town’s deputy emergency coordinator, and First Selectman Rudy Marconi. Mr. Hull and Ms. Krista are planning a February wedding. —Ben Shaw photo
One might say that Virginia Krista and Charles Hull, residents of Ballard Green senior housing, have had a rather stormy romance.
Virginia and Charles’ relationship developed during Hurricane Sandy, continued through helping their neighbors with heavy lifting and icy walkways, and ended with certification in emergency assistance by becoming members of CERT, the town’s Community Emergency Rescue Team that helps when storms like Sandy — and other disasters — hit Ridgefield.
Ms. Krista moved from the Bronx and has lived in Ballard Green for three years.
Mr. Hull moved in from Danbury just before Hurricane Sandy.
“We used to time our trips to the garbage Dumpster so that we would get to know each other better,” said Ms. Krista with a smile.
“I was attracted to how lady-like Virginia was and how she always wore a skirt,” Mr. Hull said. “But I also liked that she was able to go out in the pouring rain and was not afraid to tackle matters that are sometimes considered to be for men.”
Ms. Krista was not always certain she would catch the eye of Mr. Hull.
“With a ratio of 70 women to six men at Ballard Green, I did not think I had a chance with Charles. He was so muscular and strong, had a great smile, and such a big heart.”
The day before Hurricane Sandy, Ms. Krista decided to check on all the residents of Ballard Green to see if they were prepared with flashlights, food and water.
“I also decided to ask Charles to come along and help,” she said. “Charles was more than happy to do so — and our relationship began in earnest.”
“The next day the storm was upon us and Charles and I were able to bring big pots of soup to the residents,” said Ms. Krista.
“In between these visits, Charles and I would sit and talk. We found we had so much in common: We loved to fish, our religion, to garden, work with children and help others.”
By the end of Hurricane Sandy, Ms. Krista and Mr. Hull had became partners in emergency rescue, and it wasn’t too much later that they also partners in love. In fact, they now had two new goals: To become CERT-trained and to get married.
On Nov. 16, after many sessions of study and training, Ms. Krista and Mr. Hull received their CERT certificates from Dick Aarons, the town’s deputy emergency coordinator, and First Selectman Rudy Marconi.
On Feb. 6, 2014, Ms. Krista and Mr. Hull will be married in Holy Trinity Church in Danbury.
“On this day Charles and I will not only get married, but we will both become members of the church and Charles will be baptized,” Ms. Krista said with pride. “Then we will head down South for our honeymoon and, possibly, also go to California.”
Both Mr. Hull and Ms. Krista feel very blessed to be living at Ballard Green.
“The people here are friendly, care for each other, and give and accept help,” said Mr. Hull. “I would not want to live anyplace else.”