The College Years (1990–1994)

In August of 1990, Jon and Vicki left the familiar routines of Chesterfield and Oak Grove and moved into the fourth floor of Ellis Dorm Complex in Warrensburg, Missouri. Their destination: Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri).

Jon began pursuing a degree in Aviation Technology.
Vicki was studying Fire Science.

Neither could have imagined that almost eight years later — nearly to the day — they would stand at the altar together.

They met during those first weeks of Fall 1990 through mutual friends in the dorms. Jon was a freshman. Vicki was a junior. College life quickly intertwined their worlds — shared walks to class, study breaks, late-night conversations, and parties with overlapping circles of friends.

By Jon’s sophomore year and Vicki’s senior year, they were living in an off-campus house two blocks from campus on Broad Street. The house included Jon’s roommate, Jamey Tasker, and Vicki’s roommates — Jen, Mary, and Melissa. It quickly became a social hub.

Jon and Jamey had recently helped found the Iota Sigma Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega. Most Wednesday nights, Broad Street was filled with friends and fraternity brothers doing what college students do — debating life, laughing loudly, and staying up too late.

But life began to diverge after graduation.

Vicki graduated in 1992 and moved to Harrisonville, Missouri, where she worked as a reporter and editor for a local newspaper. She entered the “real world.” Jon remained at UCM to complete his degree.

During Jon’s junior and senior years, they largely lost touch — exchanging only occasional letters and rare visits.

In December 1994, at Jon’s graduation, Vicki was one of the few college friends who attended the ceremony. She gave him a poster as a gift — simple, thoughtful, and quietly symbolic.

A Story from Graduation

After the ceremony, families gathered in small clusters around nearly 2,000 graduates. Amid the congratulations, an older gentleman with gray hair approached Jon, shook his hand, and said:

“Congratulations, Jon! We’re going to miss you around here.”

He walked off.

Curious, the family asked:
“Who was that? One of your professors?”

Jon replied matter-of-factly:

“Oh no. He’s a bartender at one of the clubs downtown.”

Some education happens in classrooms.
Some happens everywhere else.

After College (1995–1997)

In 1995, tragedy reopened communication.

After a mutual college friend passed away, Vicki called Jon. It had been some time since they had spoken. That call changed everything.

They began speaking regularly. Then visiting. Then making long drives across Missouri to see each other.

Jon was working for Trans World Airlines at the time. He would often catch a seat on a DC-9 for the weekend and fly to Kansas City, where Vicki was now living in Cameron, Missouri.

They dated for nearly two years. And Jon knew.

He began looking for work in the Kansas City area — because some decisions are already made in the heart before they are made on paper.

The Accident – March 7, 1997

On March 7, 1997, Jon and a friend were driving from St. Louis to Warrensburg to visit Vicki and friends waiting at the ATO house.

They never arrived.

A deer entered Highway 13. The Grand Am swerved. A head-on collision followed.

All occupants of both vehicles were seriously injured. Jon’s injuries were severe. A LifeFlight helicopter transported him to Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City.

He suffered:

• Two broken legs (from bracing before impact)

• Two broken ribs

• Chipped teeth

• Severe facial lacerations requiring surgery

His legs required a metal rod and multiple screws. Three surgeries followed.

Meanwhile, news of a major accident shutting down Highway 13 reached Warrensburg. Vicki and friends drove toward the scene and recognized the mangled Grand Am.

By the time she arrived, the helicopter had already left.

She drove to Warrensburg’s hospital. He wasn’t there.
He was 100 miles away in a trauma ICU.

She made it to his bedside.

For ten days in the hospital — and ten months of surgeries, therapy, and recovery — Vicki never left.

Trans World Airlines provided extraordinary support during Jon’s recovery.

It was a defining season.

Love moved from dating to covenant long before a ring was involved.

The Proposal & Wedding (1997–1998)

Later that summer, during a vacation to Cocoa Beach, Florida, Jon asked Vicki to marry him on a pier overlooking the Atlantic.

She said yes.

Over the next eleven months, wedding planning fell entirely to Jon and Vicki. Both sets of parents were far away — some even abroad in Scotland.

On August 1, 1998, they were married at the Shrine of St. Joseph in St. Louis in front of 200 family and friends.

It was a perfect Midwest summer day — low 80s, scattered white clouds.

The reception was held at the Airport Embassy Suites, filled to capacity with celebration.

Their honeymoon took them to Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica — an all-inclusive dream where between snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring, they began their married life together.

A strong beginning.

Building a Home (1998–2004)

After returning from Scotland, Jon’s parents came home, and Jon and Vicki purchased their first house in Collinsville, Illinois — a 1960s brick ranch with mature trees and a large yard.

Jon transitioned from TWA to A.G. Edwards, joining their Internet Services Department as a Website Designer. It was the beginning of a long digital career.

Vicki worked in Public Relations at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois, building lifelong friendships.

The house was always being improved. The yard always needed something. And pets multiplied — Sammy the dog, two cats, two ferrets.

Life was busy. Good busy.

Becoming Parents (2002–2004)

After two years of trying to conceive, Jon and Vicki pursued IVF.

On their second attempt, Vicki became pregnant with a boy.

In December 2002, their son Maxx was born at 8:46 AM — 6 pounds, 18 inches long — welcomed by both families.

He was energetic from the beginning. Once he could walk, he rarely stopped running.

Then came a surprise.

After doctors suggested he might be an only child without further IVF, Vicki became pregnant naturally.

In July 2004, Tobi Ann was born at 5:19 PM — 6 pounds, 14 ounces, with dark, full hair.

A surprise gift. A daughter.

The family was complete.

Troy, Illinois & Career Momentum (2005 Forward)

Shortly after Tobi’s birth, the family moved to Troy, Illinois — into a home with a finished basement, pool, and deck. A place built for raising children.

In 2005, Jon joined Sigma-Aldrich (later part of Merck KGaA). What began as digital management grew into a 25+ year career in global digital innovation, eBusiness, and immersive technology.

Vicki focused her energy on the children, their schooling, and the full calendar of activities that defined Borlin family life.

Scouts. Special Olympics, Swimming. Track. Karate. Ballet. Horses. Camping at Carlyle and Shelbyville. Kansas City trips. Chesterfield visits.

Calendars filled months in advance.

Perspective from Today

Looking back now — decades later — a few themes stand out:

• The accident could have rewritten everything. Instead, it strengthened everything.

• Career pivots consistently positioned Jon ahead of major industry shifts.

• Faith, resilience, and commitment have marked every season.

• The Borlin home has always been full — of projects, pets, friends, laughter, and purpose.

The college dorm on the fourth floor in Warrensburg was not just a starting point. It was a launchpad.

So here we are.

From dorm rooms to trauma ICUs.
From brick ranches to global digital leadership.
From IVF hope to surprise blessings.
From Wednesday night fraternity chaos to Boy Scout leadership and community impact.

The story continues.

And if history tells us anything about the Borlin family —

The best chapters are usually the ones no one sees coming.

— Jon