Our Story

Bobby and Peggy Henderson celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary in June of this year, but what has grown into a lifelong commitment, started with Peggy turning down a date. Having grown up in Sherando near Sherando Grocery, Peggy has always called this area home. She graduated from Stuarts Draft High School in 1980, unaware that her future husband graduated the year prior in 1979.

Bobby, having grown up in a military family, attended 13 schools over the course of his early education career. When his dad chose to retire in this area, Bobby moved with his parents and completed his senior year at Stuarts Draft. After graduation he joined the army. He returned to the area after 3 years and started attending Sherando United Methodist. "I wasn't a Christian then," Bobby admitted. "But I did know you had to attend church at least twice a month to be on the softball team." And that is where he met Peggy and asked her out. She turned him down because she already had plans the evening he suggested. Against his personal rule to never ask a girl who had turned him down a second time, Bobby tried once more to get Peggy to go out with him. *It was after our second date I went and bought the ring," he recalled. "I just knew from our chemistry together that she was the one."

After they married, Peggy wanted to experience living somewhere else for a change, and with Bobby having joined the police force they followed a position opening to Northern VA. *I thought I wanted to get away from here," Peggy shared. "But three years of being in the city was all it took. I was ready to move back to the valley." Bobby left the Northern Virginia Police Department and joined the Virginia State Police. He was then stationed in Orange county, which was closer to home, but not quite there. A few more years would pass before could Peggy get back to Augusta county.

Bobby chuckled, "I was working part time on a farm at that point. One day, I remember being on a tractor, out in a freshly plowed field and looked up to see Peggy driving through the field in our new minivan excitedly calling, The Sargent called. We got our transfer. We're going home! They returned to the valley with their 2 year old daughter, Tara, to friends, family. and a slower pace of living. Tara, like her parents, graduated from Stuarts Draft High School along with her future husband, Daniel. They now have two children.

Bobby finished out his career working with the Virginia State Police in the Valley. He retired early and joined the troops in Afghanistan for 16 months as part of the Bush administration's Embedded Law Enforcement program. These officers were embedded with the US Army and Marine Corps to collect data and intel out in the field in order to study enemy movements and determine if targets had been acquired.

"I thought I had gone to Afghanistan because the pay was good," Bobby confided. "But as look back, God had opened an opportunity for me to share my faith with my fellow soldiers and I watched over 40 of them embrace personal relationships with Christ. I realize now God had me there for other reasons." The other experience he holds in his heart was getting to have tea with the local Afghani people and experience their culture. "Just because they live in Afghanistan doesn't mean they are a part of some kind of extremist group," Bobby quickly added. "They are very beautiful people who just want to be left alone."

Because he has trouble staying retired, Bobby is currently working as operation manager for a nationwide fire investigation company. He also served as Waynesboro's vice mayor and mayor between the years of 2018-2022. He is excited to see the Waynesboro high school renovation that started during his term come to completion. And what about Peggy? She eventually settled into a job with the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) which offers life insurance to national guard members.

She worked at AFBA for 19 years. She was miserable. Bobby hated watching her come home tired and unhappy while he got to the things he loved. He kept encouraging her to embrace her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. So two and half years ago, Peggy finally retired from AFBA and opened Boutique In The Boro. This ladies clothing and accessory shop is located on Main Street in Waynesboro and carries pieces with a western, boho feel. Choosing this location for a brick and motor business was easy for her. She knew Waynesboro is a safe place that is actively growing, but she also enjoys that downtown still holds a small town feel and all the other shop owners know each other.

I was so fearful of losing the benefits from my other job," Peggy mused. "But now that I've made the leap, I wish I would have done it sooner. Work feels so different when you're doing what you love, plus I've met so many new people and have customers who have become my friends. I love the independence and relationships owning my own business has allowed. Have faith in yourself and your dreams will come true!"

Bobby nodded, "If there's someone out there who's stuck in a job they don't like, or has a dream to do something else - take the risk and try it. If you're at a point in your career you're not happy - take the risk and try it. Especially if you are young. Stop simply putting in time and start doing what you love. If it doesn't work out, you can always return to what you were doing. Take the risk.".