WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place Monday on Purdue University's campus. A 32-foot spruce is making spirits bright in the Memorial Union.
This year, the tree was donated by a university employee.
It fulfilled a Christmas wish for the man who donated it, and the woman he loved and lost.
"To me, it's an honor to be able to do this," said Darrell Smith, recalling his late wife, Tina.
"This isn't about me, it's about Tina," said Darrell. It's about Christmas. It's about Purdue. It's about the community. A lot of people show up to see the lighting of this tree."
Darrell has worked as a maintenance tech at the Purdue Memorial Union for 33 years. He has helped decorate these specially-chosen spruces each season.
Christmas was Tina's absolute favorite, and she and Darrell made it tradition to see the ceremony each year.
"She just did everything around Christmas," Darrell said. "She said maybe we can get one of our trees in there. And my boss, he says, 'Before you retire, we're gonna get one of your trees in the Union building.' Well, I don't know when I'm gonna retire, but we did manage to get a tree in there."
Eight years after Tina passed away, Darrell and Purdue made it happen. The tree from the Smiths' backyard was lovingly cut and carried to Purdue to be shared with the community.
"It just brings her closer to me," Darrell said. "It's something I wanted to do for her. And she wasn't able to be here to do it."
But Darrell believes she'll be there in spirit.
"She's probably already got her seat and sitting there waiting," Darrell said, proud her Christmas wish came true.
"It's gonna be special," he said.
Darrell's tree will be standing proud at the Union through Christmas Day.