Where did you get married?

We had planned to have our wedding in Portugal in June 2020. Of course, that didn’t end up happening due to the pandemic, and we had to postpone and eventually cancel those plans. We wanted to at least get legally married, and so that summer we eloped in Sedona, AZ.

In the spring of 2021, some of our friends had the crazy idea of applying to be guests on a Below Deck charter. We’re huge fans of the show, so we took them up on the offer to be in their group, and since the show was in Menorca – where we were planning to honeymoon – we had the idea to have the wedding on Below Deck Sailing Yacht. The crew threw us a wedding, and we were married by Captain Glenn on a beach in Menorca, Spain in August 2021!

Favorite UD memory: Allegra was on the women’s soccer team at UD, and Gabe would come to nearly every home game for all four years. He had some infamous cheers (“dribble dat tho!”) and became a staple of the UDWS fandom. 

Favorite UD spot: Any bench on campus. One of our favorites is a little bench that was tucked away on West Delaware Avenue near Trabant. 

Do you have advice for other UD couples? 

Don’t get a cat if one of you is allergic. One might be okay, but definitely don’t get two.

Favorite UD spot: Delaware Stadium. Deji is a UD football alum!

How did UD bring you together? We both had classes in the business buildings, lived in the Christiana Towers and had mutual friends so we would see each other from time to time. These short interactions allowed us to develop a friendship that grew into a relationship. 

What makes your Blue Hen spouse a good partner?  We always support each other’s goals and passions which has allowed us to be successful in our careers and as a family. 

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year?  Our youngest son’s birthday is February 13, so we usually do a family dinner to celebrate his birthday and Valentine's Day. 

How did UD bring you together? We met while I was an assistant dean and Dan was a returning adult student working on his graduate degrees. Until 2021, he was the only Black male to have received a Ph.D. in family studies. 

Favorite UD memory:  

Norma: As an undergraduate, I enjoyed activities specially designed for Black students. As a faculty member, I learned to appreciate the campus’ seasonal beauty. I also loved traveling and leading service-learning study abroad programs in South Africa and Barbados. 

Daniel: The opportunity to attend National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conferences as a graduate student.

Favorite UD spot: Morris Library and Norma’s former office in Alison Hall                                              

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year?  We believe relationships should be celebrated every day—not just on Valentine’s Day – with flowers for no reason, regular date nights, spontaneous road trips, etc.

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year? A romantic evening enjoying Balkan food at our favorite restaurant followed by a nightcap at our favorite queer bar. 

How did UD bring you together? We met through a mutual friend! He and Colleen joined Haven (now the Lavender Programming Board) and were on the executive board together throughout their time at UD, while he and Alyssa lived in the same residence hall. Eventually, the two friend groups merged, and we hit it off!

Favorite UD memory: When our families met for the first time at graduation. Family is incredibly important to both of us, so we were both nervous about our parents and other family members meeting for the first time. It was clear though that they saw how much we loved one another. They were happy that we were happy!

Favorite UD spot: Kent Dining Hall!

First date: Kappa Alpha Psi’s annual Kappa Kabaret in May 2006 at Club Quest! 

Favorite UD memory: The Richard Dick Wilson Annual Homecoming Step Show in October 2006

How did UD bring you together? We started our college careers at different schools but transferred to UD during our junior year. One day, we happened to see each other in the courtyard by Purnell and Smith Hall. We went to the same high school, so our reconnection at UD was pretty cool after so much time had passed. Wali invited me to the Kappa Kabaret and won my heart with his charm. We’ve been together ever since! 

Do you have advice for other UD couples? We intentionally make time to connect every Sunday morning before the kids wake up. We talk about life events, the week ahead, finances…everything! It’s a great way for us to “check in” on each other. 

First Date: The Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia with a view of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Once we realized that we were both Blue Hens, we knew it was meant to be.

Favorite UD memory:  Pulling all-nighters at Bleeker Street Cafe at Morris Library and participating in Haven’s (now the Lavender Programming Board) annual Marry-In. Gay marriage was not legalized when Lauren attended UD. The Marry-In was a joyful form of protest and declaration of LGBTQ+ pride. In 2005, she oversaw 100+ marriages on the Trabant patio. 

Favorite UD spot: The fountain on the South Green, especially if someone tossed a bottle of dish soap in it.

What makes your Blue Hen partner special? 

Sarah: Lauren’s enormous, generous heart. 

Lauren: Sarah’s immense intelligence and zest for knowledge which was certainly fostered while at UD.

Do you have advice for other UD couples? Always be kind to one another and never miss a UD Alumni Weekend!

Favorite UD spot: Sitting on the steps of Memorial Hall on a sunny day while eating a bacon, egg and cheese from Newark Deli and Bagel.

How did UD bring you together? We met during sophomore year when we both joined the UD Sailing Team!

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year? We are spending Valentine’s Day at home hanging out and ordering takeout with our new daughter, Nora. Nora was born on Christmas Eve, and we are already planning for her to be part of UD’s Class of 2045! Fingers crossed!

What is your favorite UD spot? Delaware Stadium and the South Green – our favorite place to walk our dog, Tubby!

Favorite UD memory: 

David: I will never forget the energy in the stadium and in the locker room after beating William & Mary in 2015 on a last-second field goal while the clock ran out. 

Shelby: I cherish the lessons learned and friends made from my study abroad trips to Australia and Barbados and UD Alternative Breaks (UDaB) trips to DC, Detroit, and Nicaragua! 

How did UD bring you together? We met move-in weekend of our freshman year in George Read Hall North. David’s suitemate was one of Shelby’s good friends from high school so we all quickly became friends. Our sophomore year we organized a block of rooms in the Christiana Towers via “Floor With Friends” and the rest is history!

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year? We like to keep it low-key. We have a favorite restaurant…you’ll find us at a table in Taverna on Main Street!