On Feb. 7, 1947, Mike Mabe and Wayne Woosley's newborn wails filled the delivery room at the old City Hospital. About 25 miles away, Larry Waller's echoed throughout the family homeplace in Stokes County.
They were country boys, raised on small farms by hardworking parents in the shadow of World War II. By the time they graduated from high school in 1965, the world had changed, had gotten more complex, and two of the boys soon found themselves in the thick of an unpopular war.
As men, all three returned to their rural roots, moving within 5 miles of each other in Pfafftown. Though they were unfamiliar with one another when young, their lives soon began intersecting in meaningful ways.
Woosley helped coach Mabe's children in cross country at North Forsyth High School; Waller hired Woosley's son, John, at his auto parts store on Reynolda Road and became close friends with the boy. When John Woosley died unexpectedly a few years ago, Waller was among the most grief-stricken. Mabe has been a longtime customer at Waller's store and now considers him a friend.
A few years ago, Mabe discovered they all shared the same birthday. On Tuesday, the men will turn 65.
Mabe will celebrate his birthday at a resort in Portland, Ore., with his wife. Woosley hopes to get together with his grandchildren. Waller's plans involve a business meeting at 8 a.m., followed by, well, he's not sure. But given his zest for life, there's a good bet that it will involve lots of laughter.
Although each man has his own storyline, their lives do share some similarities. All have marriages that have lasted more than 35 years. They all prefer the wide-open spaces of country life. They all are healthy and vibrant, choosing to spend their days playing golf, gardening and woodworking.
At Woosley's farm the other day, the men laughed about having to get a new driver's license.
"When do we have to get another one?" Waller asked.
"Eight years," Mabe answered.
"I'll be anxious to see if we'll be here," Waller said.
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