With two notches of flaps and two adults in the front seats, your center
of lift was way aft and your center of gravity was way forward. Think
about it.

I've never flown a Cherokee 235 before, but in the 140 thru 180 models,
but on a paved runway, leaving the flaps fully retracted during the
takeoff roll and kicking in the first notch at rotation always made for
a very good-feeling solid takeoff. I prefer to begin rotation at Vx to
ensure plenty of flying speed. The Cherokees don't seem to eager to
leave the ground until you've got that much airspeed anyway.