Writing a book has been a dream since 1975 when our daughter Angela took her flight to heaven. I suppose most of us think of writing a book after we experience tragedy or traumatic events that alter the path we are on. Disappointments in life make us or break us, and if it wasn’t for the love and support I have received through the years, I would have become broken beyond repair. I wrote this book for people who need hope, and I pray you have found it in the pages of my story.
I have been forgiven “seventy times seven” by a loving God, my husband, my children, and my friends. Because I have been forgiven, I have been able to forgive those who hurt me. It has been a very long journey, but experiencing forgiveness has given me great peace.
I owe my gratitude to a number of people, but first and foremost I will say that the grace and love of my heavenly Father have sustained me. He has given me faith and courage when I thought I couldn’t face another day. He has redeemed me and made my life more than I ever dreamed was possible! To him I say, “Thank you.”
My family, what can I say? My dear husband, Jonas, has been my rock and was the one person in my life who loved me unconditionally. He was the man who loved me in a way that all of us want to be loved. Through all of my sin, despair, and depression he stayed with me; and quietly, day in and day out, year after year, he stayed committed to our family. Words of gratitude are difficult to express and I simply say, “I respect you, dear, and thank you.”
My three daughters are a constant reminder of the miracle of life, and to be a mother is my highest calling in this life. You are a precious and priceless gift to me. Angela is the one among us who has “arrived.” It is because of her short life of less than two years that I have experienced the depth and height of sadness and joy. I believe she has prayed many perfect prayers for me and my family and stands among the greatest as fulfilling her purpose for this life. “A little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 NLT). Her life here on earth and in heaven is a strong influence for us to fulfill our purpose while we travel planet Earth and then to join her where she lives. Angela, you are my traveling buddy, my “Angel.”
LaWonna Lyn, our firstborn, and Joy LaVale, our third and youngest, are a constant source of support, love, and encouragement. Through the years you have been directly impacted by all my “craziness.” You have had your own struggles as you watched and experienced the lies and deceits that were unspoken yet very real in our home. You have experienced the death and resurrection of our family, and through it all you have given me not what I deserved, but what I needed, love and grace. You have seen the power of God as he has kept us and never let us go. I love you more than life, and you both are “so beautiful to me.” You gave me a reason to stay when I wanted to run; I had to be with you, and today I am. All the pain and frustration couldn’t separate us, and it’s because you loved me and I loved you. Love is a powerful force, and where love is miracles happen. I am a proud mom, and I see God in you every day.
Russ, my son-in-law. You bring laughter and life to us on a daily basis. Thank you for the three beautiful grandchildren you have blessed us with: Trinity, Ryan, and Mia. They are the joy of my life.
Cristian, my oldest grandson. You came into our lives when we needed a baby to hold, and you are a “little man of integrity.” I am proud of you.
My mom, who at the age of eighty-seven, still wants to do things for me. She is always available to help anytime I ask. Thank you for allowing me to be in your kitchen when I was a little girl. You never complained when it got messy.
I have five brothers and two sisters who have loved, accepted, and supported me in unbelievable ways. Their tolerance and love for me can only be described as “It’s just what families do.” They have been kind and loved me since I was a little girl on the farm, and that same love and support has carried me through Auntie Anne’s and beyond.
Jake, the oldest. Thank you for coming all the way to Texas during one of the darkest days of my life just to support me and later to become one of the team at Auntie Anne’s. You were also one of our first franchisees.
Sam, better known to us as “Chub.” Thank you for being the first one to connect with me after six long years of silence. I wanted to end it all. You said you would call me once a week until I was doing better, and you did.
Dale. You left your secure job and plunged into Auntie Anne’s as the “warehouse guy.” You did anything that was needed to meet our ever-growing warehouse needs. Today you are still at Auntie Anne’s managing a multimillion-dollar warehouse. You’re like the Energizer bunny. Thank you.
Merrill, you were our very first “delivery boy” at Auntie Anne’s and one of our first franchisees. Those were the days, right? Through the years you have been my inspiration, my encourager, and now my pastor. Thank you.
Carl. You came knocking on my door when you saw the need and opportunity. I’ll never forget the answer to prayer you were to me. You took what was already successful and laid a strong foundation for the future of Auntie Anne’s. You put systems in place that helped us grow and took the company worldwide in less than five years. What a ride! Thank you.
My two sisters, Becky and Fi. We have been through more together than we can talk about at times, yet we have this silent connection that only sisters can have. Thanks for the victories that we have experienced together and for staying when you wanted to run. Thanks for being there for me when I thought it was over for us. There were times when I thought we would never speak to each other again, yet somehow we did the impossible: We overcame our hurt and anger. We spoke to each other and we hugged. After all, we are attached at the hip.
When God gave me my two sisters, he gave me two blessings that he knew I needed in the good times and in the bad. When we were little girls, we would snuggle in the one bed we slept in during the cold, hard winters. As an adult I feel us snuggling emotionally in the cold, harsh realities of life. Thank you.
To be your sister is God’s gift to me, and he knew I would need your friendship, strength, and love in my adult years. Without you I would never have been able to grow Auntie Anne’s in the early years. God is keeping score, and he will bless you in this life and in the life to come.
Thanks to all my family. You are incredibly hardworking and kind! We also have more fun than a barrel of monkeys when we get together the first Monday of each month.
There are many more family members, including many nieces and nephews, who made Auntie Anne’s successful.
My sister-in-law Ruth was with me from day one and is still with the company today. You are amazing.
My brother-in-law Aaron was the first risk taker. You left your job and came to help us. You did whatever it took to get the job done, and I am grateful for the many long days and nights you gave to the start and growth of the company. Your constant hard work and sacrifice were an example to all who followed you.
My sister-in-law Vern. Thanks for listening to me when I was angry and depressed and wanted to run away.
Pop Beiler. Thank you for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime by giving me $6,000 to start our little pretzel stand at Downingtown Farmers’ Market. You gave me the money and trusted me to fully repay you when I could. Your trust was a real encouragement, because we were completely broke and had no way of knowing if I could ever pay you back. That gift set us on a path that will take a lifetime to appreciate.
Shawn Smucker, my nephew and the one who was my shadow as we wrote my story together. You were an answer to prayer the day we had coffee together. The project was a pleasure because of your gift of writing, your kindness, and your encouragement. Thank you.
There are three other men I want to thank because they restored my trust.
Tom Wilson, my first pastor after my time of deep mistrust in God, church, and pastors. You welcomed our family with loving arms. Our friendship is a reminder of God’s grace.
Omar Beiler, my pastor at the time when we were a start-up company. You spoke into my life when I thought I had gone as far as I could possibly go with fifty stores. You said I could keep going if I would gather people around me to do what I couldn’t do. You were right, and I found scores of people who knew a whole lot more than I did, and what a gift they were to me.
Dr. Richard Dobbins. You saved my life from complete destruction, emotionally and spiritually, by your wisdom and understanding of my behavior. You provided a safe place for me to spill my guts and gave me a better theological understanding of life.
Sam Beiler, my successor at Auntie Anne’s. You understood my vision and purpose and stayed the course for nearly sixteen years. In the end I knew you were the man for the future growth of Auntie Anne’s because you are a man of wisdom.
Elli Zeamer. My first assistant, who came to me as a total stranger and asked if I needed an assistant. I wasn’t looking and had no clue that I was in desperate need of one. Thanks you for assisting me in many ways in the early years of Auntie Anne’s.
Dave Hood. Thank you for coming all the way from Chicago to Amish Country. Your experience in the world of franchising was a gift to our fledgling company,
Mary Lou Frisbie. Thank you for serving me well for twelve years. You’ve kept me and my family going in the right direction, always being in the right place at the right time. I would have lost my way without you.
All the employees at Auntie Anne’s. It is your enthusiasm and love for the company and the product that gave me joy each day. You are the reason that I am blessed and able to write this book. My story would not have the same ending if it wasn’t for the success of Auntie Anne’s. Your love and loyalty is amazing to me. I will never forget you!
The franchisees are a group of people who have been a surprise and blessing to me. Your trust in me and the product in the beginning astounded me. You came to us from all over the world and wanted to sell pretzels. What a simple concept and what trust you had! I was a simple farm girl with no experience; you knew that and trusted me anyway. What a ride we had together!
Thank you to another group of people who “brought a song” into my life again, the Gaither Homecoming Friends. You bless my life and make my spirit soar each time I listen to you sing. Your songs continue to help me get through any circumstance I may encounter as I journey on.
Thank you, Wes, my agent, for being my guide and source of information. Thank you for your great patience and for helping me stay on track with this project.
Thank you to all those at Thomas Nelson who believed in this project.
There are many others who have touched my life and connected with me at just the right place and time. Thank you for your encouragement—spiritually, professionally, and personally.