As I knocked on the Bredow residence’s door, a chorus of voices greeted me, telling me to come in. This door, unlike others on campus does not lock automatically, and it swung open easily at my touch. The Bredows greeted me warmly, and before I knew it, I found myself settled on the couch with a glass of water in the middle of a welcoming family that makes me fondly remember my own childhood.
Ben Bredow is the Residence Director of the male quads, and lives on Union’s Campus with his wife, Tiffany, who also works part time at Union’s Health Services Clinic. Then there are the children: Finley, Madilyn and Annie Jo.
When I ask how long they’ve been here, it’s Finley, the oldest Bredow child, who answers fastest. He’s wearing a plastic soldier’s helmet that reminds me of one that my older brother used to have.
“Nine years,” Finley said.
He explains that he can remember how long because it’s also how old he is. In other words, none of the Bredow children know a life outside of a college campus; to them, Union is home.
“One thing is, I can just go outside and meet a friend every day,” Finley said. “But like most people can’t just go out and be like, ‘oh, new friend. Hi!’”
Finley adds that his “con” about living on campus “just changed to a pro.” He has always wanted to get a dog. With a new rule this year, RDs and their families are allowed to have one. All that is left is to convince his mom.
In the meantime, he is hatching some chickens and ducks. He brings over one of the little grey chickens to show me. Madilyn, the second oldest tells me that she likes the yellow one. Annie Jo, the youngest, smiles widely as she holds up the page in her book with a large number 10 on it, and then goes back to reading the numbers.
The Bredows’ love for what they do almost makes it easy to believe that there are no drawbacks to raising a family on a college campus. Yet, parts of our conversation hint at some of the challenges they face. They do not have their own backyard, and the events hosted in the gym right outside their door are loud. Ben mentions that a lot of Tiffany’s friends at one point or another have said, “I couldn’t do this.”
“We think it’s important,” Ben said. “A lot of students are like ‘oh we love to see a family. We love to see kids!’ and it’s good for them to see that too.”
Even though being the residence director is only Ben’s job, the whole family plays a part in the role.
“I joke that I’m married into Res Life even though it’s not really my position,” Tiffany said.
Nine years is a long time for the RD to stay, but despite the difficulties, the Bredows love what they do. The community and discipleship that they are cultivating in their home continues to grow, and it stretches beyond current students. Ben continues to keep in touch with resident advisors that used to work for him. He has watched students come in as freshman, graduate and comeback to visit.
Being on campus has many convenient perks for the family. Between the orchestra, plays, family day and other events, there is often something on campus that the whole family can enjoy.
The Bredows are far from confined to Union’s campus, though. They are connected at their church and with the children’s school. They regularly have dinner with other friends and visit nearby relatives.
Community is not a buzz word with the Bredows. In fact, I do not believe the word came up at all in our conversation, but it is something they live out with an authenticity that cannot be faked. As I leave, I find myself promising to take them up on their offer to come back again sometime.