When King Triton Played Cupid: Campus Love Stories, Then and Now

‘Drawn’ Together at Marshall

If you ask my husband, Christian, how we met, he’ll jokingly say Facebook. And to be honest, he’s not wrong. But the real story is much more interesting. We had added each other through a UC San Diego Marshall College Facebook group before freshman year even started. We didn’t really interact then, but fate had other plans. Even though he lived in the dorms right above mine, our first real interaction happened in a Marshall Dimensions of Culture discussion class during fall quarter. The TA paired us for a quick icebreaker: draw each other on a piece of paper. I was paired with Christian — skateboard, skater-boy hair and all — and while I’m no artist, I thought he was cute, so I gave it my best effort. In return, he handed me a very basic stick-figure version of me. He later admitted he had a girlfriend at the time and didn’t want to give googly-eyed me the wrong impression. That awkward drawing exercise became our very first memory together.

Soon after, I convinced Christian to join Kaibigang Pilipino, UC San Diego’s Filipino student organization. From there, our friendship really grew. We became part of the same core group of friends and were even coined “SAMTIAN,” a nickname we still use today. As engineering majors — Christian in chemical engineering, me in structural engineering — we survived late-night finals week in Price Center, always having each other’s back, and keeping each other fueled with Tapioca Express. Two years into our friendship, I met up with Christian at Hi Thai to let him know that I was ready to take the leap and start dating, but Christian needed a little more time. He didn’t want to risk our friendship and I couldn’t blame him. Eventually, he took the plunge and I’m so glad he did because the rest was history. A few years after graduation, life took us away from San Diego and into new chapters in the Bay Area and Portland, Oregon. Still, UC San Diego remains at the heart of our story. After nine years together, Christian proposed in La Jolla, truly a full-circle moment. On our 10th anniversary, we eloped! We’ve continued traveling the world together. UC San Diego gave me far more than an education and college memories — it brought me to my soulmate.

- Samantha Jumamil Estropia ’15

A Chance Encounter by Canyonview

On March 9, 2023, I was walking to the Faculty Club when I passed a guy coming back from a swim at Canyonview. After a series of semi-embarrassing stares and over-the-shoulder glances, I — uncharacteristically — decided to approach him and initiate conversation. As I got closer, I noticed his striking hazel eyes that were glimmering in the San Diego sunshine. I introduced myself, and he replied in his pronounced Italian accent, “I’m Davide!” We exchanged a few pleasantries, and before it became too awkward, I gave him my number. I was fully expecting to never hear from him, yet within a few hours he messaged me. We texted throughout the rest of the day, and talking with him was such a breath of fresh air. There was no pretense, no games, no guile.  He was honest, sincere, kind, and most importantly interested in meeting again!

In some ways, we epitomize the phrase “opposites attract.” He’s Italian and I’m American. He’s a professor of neuroscience and I’m a staff member. All this is on top of a 17-year age difference and a 13-inch height difference. Nevertheless, we could not be a more compatible couple. Davide and I share a deep passion for travel and love to cook, hike, snorkel, take day trips around San Diego, and generally be active every chance we get. In the three years since we met, our lives have been full of amazing trips, precious holidays and celebrations, and simple but satisfying weekends at home. We have built a beautiful, blended family with Davide’s two sons, his ex-wife and her partner. In September 2025, Davide proposed during a safari in Tanzania. While the wedding date has yet to be set, we will always remember the date of March 9 — that fateful day when a UC San Diego neuroscientist and a staff member serendipitously crossed paths near Matthews Quad.

- Max Reinke

A First-Year Beginning

My boyfriend and I met during our freshman year of undergrad! We both lived in the Multicultural Living and Learning Community at Muir College, and got introduced by our suitemates.

Since then, we have been living together for more than a year and rescued our goofy Doberman son, Dante. We can’t wait to graduate together and continue to build a future that we are truly proud of!

- Xiomara Anahi Aguilar ’26

Where Science and Serendipity Aligned

I was at a grad student party in South Mesa in 1994. Those apartments felt old and outdated even then. Amazingly, they are still standing. Stephanie was a neuroscience grad student who had just joined Mark Geyer’s lab, which I had almost joined myself a year earlier. I was a year ahead of her and in a “rival” grad program — biomedical sciences. At the time, we were both seeing other people. I remember how much fun I had talking to her boyfriend, who I met separately, and the moment I realized they were a couple. A year or two later, our paths crossed again at a grad student party at a bar in Pacific Beach. I don’t remember the name of the place: I think it was on Garnet, but it was full of pool tables. There was Stephanie, in faded blue overalls, playing pool. To my surprise, she remembered me! I invited her to a dinner party at my little in-law cottage that was in Hillcrest, and after dinner she offered to stay and help with the dishes. We started dating and subsequently collaborating on a neuroscience project — but the dating came first.

Despite initially pursuing postdocs in different cities, we decided to get married while living in New York City, where we were both doing postdocs at Columbia University. We eventually landed tenure-track faculty positions at the University of Chicago where we had our two kids, Ariela and Samuel. In 2016, we jumped at the chance to move back to UC San Diego — where it all began. We are now professors of psychiatry, which feels like we’ve come full circle. We don’t get invited to South Mesa parties anymore, but we still find ways to have fun — and every so often, we still collaborate on neuroscience projects.

- Abraham Palmer

Dancing Through College Together

Jesús and I met in the hallways of Revelle College. We lived in neighboring suites and would frequently walk past each other and exchange hellos and friendly smiles. My roommates knew him from the Summer Bridge program and KSDT Radio Show and they suggested that we attend the Revelle semiformal dance together since we both have a love for dancing. We agreed to attend the dance together, along with all of our wonderful friends. I was impressed with the grace in his dancing and felt an undeniable connection.

We started dating in the summer of 2016 and I can say without a doubt that my college experience would not have been as adventurous and spontaneous without Jesús. Not only was he my study buddy who motivated me when the nights got long and passing exams for my engineering classes felt impossible, but he was also my partner in fun when we would take salsa and bachata lessons at Salsa Club and Latin Dances of the World courses for our mental and physical health. We went on plenty of beach dates at La Jolla Shores, sometimes by bus and sometimes by running or walking there. We had many study dates at Geisel and the computer lab "dungeon" in Muir. We ate plenty of delicious custom-made pizzas from Oceanview Terrace, our favorite dining spot. We would save dining dollars to eat at 64 North for special occasions, our favorite dish was the chipotle shrimp linguine. I appreciate Jesús for saving his Triton Cash during his time as an RA to be able to treat us on dates to BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. I always admired Jesús's work ethic and his dedication to serving his community as a part of MEchA, SPACES and Hermanos Unidos. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed at UC San Diego and I truly felt like a power couple when we walked across the stage together to graduate as first-generation Latinos. I truly believe Jesús is my soulmate and UC San Diego has a special place in my heart for being the reason why I got to meet him. On May 30th we’ll celebrate our 10-year anniversary.

- Melissa Amezola ’20

When Cupid Threw a Bicycle Lock

I was leading a video game-based student organization at the Sixth College commuter center. Megan was helping one of our members as we were setting up an event. Immediately smitten, I was eager to get to know her. How could I make an unforgettable impression? Unfortunately — or perhaps fortunately — a bicycle lock that I was fiddling with accidentally flew across the room and struck her chest. I swear I did not throw it! If I had thrown it, I would more likely have destroyed a plasma screen TV or my childhood Super Nintendo. To apologize, I asked if she would allow me to show her a romantic evening. Not thinking she would accept, I started to slink away. She asked if I wanted her phone number, and I tried to save face with the excuse that I had intended to go inside for a pen. She gently reminded me that putting it directly in my phone would be quicker. We have been inseparable since, and now have two amazing kiddos. True story: Cupid doesn’t use a bow to strike a heart, because bicycle locks are much more effective.

- Antonio Nava ’07

From La Jolla to the City of Light

Phoebe and I met through a conversation about In-N-Out. We were both freshmen, and quickly determined that while I liked the fries, she didn't. But we shared a taste for the grilled cheese sandwiches on the secret menu, and our conversation flourished from there. For our first date, we took a dip in the Pacific Ocean at La Jolla Cove — in January, when the water temperature was well below 60 degrees. Surrounded by noisy seals and a few hardy divers in wetsuits, we dove in wearing only our normal bathing suits. That spirit of risk-taking and plunging headfirst into new situations has stuck with us since.

We spent the next two-and-a-half years at UC San Diego as an inseparable pair, then moved to Los Angeles for a year. Phoebe discovered an amazing cat shelter in our neighborhood, and we fostered 11 amazing cats over the course of the year. Our modest apartment was suddenly filled with wrestling kittens, jangling cat toys, and more than a bit of spilled litter. While in Los Angeles, we also made the split-second decision to drive 10 hours in one day to Las Vegas to see the Tritons progress to March Madness for the first time.

Since September 2025, our new home has been in Paris’ 14th arrondissement. We're both completing master's programs — mine in urban planning, hers in journalism — in the City of Light, and we've adored every minute of it. I feel extremely lucky to be able to walk the beautiful city streets here with Phoebe, and I still think back to the day we met at UC San Diego! I don't know if we would be together today if it weren't for the school's atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, and I can't wait to visit campus again with Phoebe to see our old favorite spots.

- Daniel Sjoholm ’24

A Love That Withstood the Distance

I met my soulmate, future partner and wife, Laura, during our freshman year in 1991. We both attended Warren College, and in addition to seeing each other around the Warren campus, we also had a Warren writing class together. Seeing each other at a free concert at The Hump during freshman year, I finally worked up the nerve to ask her up to my apartment. We ended up staying up the entire night into the wee hours of the morning. We were both able to be authentic with each other and definitely had a spark. We dated throughout our time at UC San Diego and actually lived together our senior year to see if we wanted to pursue a long-distance relationship after undergrad as we both were continuing our education afterward at different colleges. Once we were finally together in the same city again, we got married in 2000. We had two children along the way and are still in a loving, supportive and beautiful relationship.

- Zachariah Anthony Peterson ’94

Facebook Official, Triton Forever

Our story began during rush week at UC San Diego in Fall 2008, where our paths crossed at a house party near campus and we met for the very first time. I was starting senior year after three years of undergrad at UC San Diego, while Laura had just transferred in as a junior, so initial conversations about Triton lifestyle and the vibe around campus quickly blossomed into a full-blown courtship within days. College life comes at you fast.

As Laura officially became a member of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, that November, we’d also celebrate the memorable occasion by making our new relationship “Facebook official.” This was a big deal in 2008, way before Instagram or TikTok existed. Holding hands while strolling down Library Walk, lunch dates in Price Center between lectures and the rest was history because I already knew I found my soulmate.

We would share the joyous memories of each other's UC San Diego graduations in 2009 and 2010 and held our 2016 wedding ceremony in La Jolla because of how our special times on campus paved the way for our love story. We welcomed our beautiful daughter, Liliana, the following year and have already poured Triton pride into our sweet girl.

Thank you for our “college sweethearts” love story, UC San Diego. Life has never been better.

- Mark Petix ’09

A Decade in the Making

Scott and I first met in Microbial Genetics. I was going to be missing classes due to grad school interviews, and Scott kindly offered to attend extra credit seminars with me. We met up every week to study at the biomedical library and attended so many extra credit events, we both aced the class. We remained friends, catching up through many life changes and several cross-country moves. In 2021, we both ended up in Texas, and after almost 10 years of being friends, we went on our first date. The rest is history. We visited UC San Diego together in 2022 and went back to our favorite spots on campus — including Sun God — and in San Diego. UC San Diego will always be a special place for us! We were married in May 2025 and recently moved back to our home state of California.

- Sara Mokhtary-Myers ’12

Fifty-Two Years After Tenaya Hall

My, time flies! We met in 1974 at age 19. I showed up at his Muir apartment door, because his roommate — still a dear friend — arranged a ride to Los Angeles for me for Passover. That ride was magical!

Just a few days later, I stepped out of the Tenaya Hall rooftop elevator wearing a bikini and carrying a ton of study materials. Who was having a study session in clear view of the elevator doors? My future husband, that’s who. I carefully positioned myself on the sunny Tenaya Hall rooftop (book probably held upside-down, for all I know) and eagerly awaited the end of his study session. Sure enough, he found me "studying," and 52 years, three children, and two grandchildren later, here we are

- Leslie Frischer ’77

Sisterhood That Started on Campus

As a transfer student to UC San Diego, my focus was to complete my bachelor’s degree in communication in two years. I had no idea I would form a lifelong friendship along the way.

From classmates in a sociology course to roommates, then sorority sisters in Delta Sigma Theta and friends through it all. I am fortunate and blessed to share memories and continual life experiences with Kimberly, my forever sister and friend!

- Roberta Richey-Hamilton ’87

Crossing the Stage, Then the Aisle

Sometimes when you know something is right, you take a leap of faith and just do it. We met formally in the winter of 1982 in Del Mar, although we had a few missed encounters in the two years beforehand on campus. We decided to get married a year later and wanted to invite all our friends. We married one week after graduation in Solana Beach with a reception in La Jolla.  We are still married. Fun fact: We did not have a band for the wedding as of graduation day. Our best man knew of a “new wave” band practicing that day. The best man sat in for the Commencement walk while the band was secured. All our friends celebrated with us and I can happily say that many of us are still friends today.

-Suzanne Morgan Ferrari ’84

Two Startups, One Love Story

Henry and I officially became a couple in March 2018. If we're talking specifics, it was during lunch at 64 Degrees. Looking back, it feels like fate played a hand in bringing us together, despite our many differences. Henry was a computer science student while I studied economics. He was also an avid guitarist, while I spent many days and nights dancing away in one of the many dance studios on campus. Whether it was bumping into each other at Library Walk, driving to Convoy for a food marathon, walking each other to class or cheering each other on during the dreaded finals week, some of our most memorable moments to date happened at UC San Diego.

Graduating at the height of the pandemic wasn’t easy. The uncertainty of the world made even simple plans feel daunting. We took the leap into the unknown and founded our own startups, learning to navigate challenges, celebrate victories and grow both personally and professionally. Most of all, we are very proud of how we’ve supported each other through the toughest times, knowing that even when circumstances were beyond our control, we could rely on one another by simply being present in each other's lives.

Since leaving San Diego, we've traveled the world. San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Mexico City and Beijing are just some of the many incredible places we've had the privilege of visiting. Today, we are based in Singapore, and our relationship continues to evolve in exciting ways. We got engaged in February 2025 and had our legal courthouse marriage in July. We’re now looking forward to celebrating our love with two wedding ceremonies in February and April this year. While the future is unpredictable, the lessons we’ve learned and the love we share give us confidence that we can face whatever comes next.

Through it all, we’ve realized that it’s often the simple, everyday moments that make a relationship truly extraordinary. And for us, those moments, rooted in friendship and some Triton love, began right here at UC San Diego. We hope to be able to give back to the campus community someday and we can't wait to visit soon.

- Liyen Tan ’20

From Bus Loops to Best Friends

In the summer of 2006, I had just gotten a job as a student bus driver at UC San Diego. As a recent transfer student living off-campus, I hoped that joining the close-knit transportation department would help me make more meaningful friendships. We trained all summer and got our commercial driver’s licenses before the fall quarter started.

On the first day of classes, I walked into Spanish class and heard someone call my name. Another new driver recognized me and waved me over. Katie was intimidatingly cool and always seemed surrounded by friends, but she wanted me to sit with her. I remember admiring her confidence and thinking she had a permanent smile. I was even more impressed when I learned she was also a transfer student! Over the next year, we got together for study sessions, attended some of the same parties, and blinked our bus lights (the bus driver wave) when we passed each other on Campus Loop.

After graduation, the recession hit. Fortunately, Katie and I were fans of free and cheap entertainment: we went on hikes, cooked for her roommates and watched nature documentaries. Before I knew it, I had a best friend I could tell anything to, rely on and include in any adventure. Twenty years later, I’m so grateful we both wanted to be bus drivers! We live a mile apart and miss each other if we go more than a week without hanging out. We've traveled together, helped each other move, she stood with me on my wedding day, I feel like a co-parent to her pets, and we still hike, cook and watch movies together. I'm once again a UC San Diego employee and keep a photo of us at my desk to remind me how we became best friends.

- Lindsay Mineo ’07

A Tomato Bagel and a Five Star Pencil Case

It was 1994, and I was rushing to my Making of the Modern World class at UC San Diego when I spotted a cute guy packing up his pencil case in my usual spot. He had just come from Calculus 1A, and I remember his Five Star pencil case vividly. He remembers me for the tomato bagel I was munching on as I descended the stairs.

We felt an undeniable mutual attraction, but both of us were in other relationships at the time. A year later, a mutual friend introduced us, and we both happened to be single. Fast forward a few years, Jim proposed to me outside the same lecture hall where we first met. Today, 27 years later, we're still happily married, and we even had our only child at UC San Diego Health. I'm forever grateful to the Sun God for playing Cupid back in 1994.

- Erika Luib ’96

When Growing Up Meant Growing Together

Sudarshan and I met in high school, but we only started dating right at the end of senior year. When college decisions were coming out, I remember receiving the advice: pick your college for you, not to be with your friends, and certainly not for a boyfriend! We went to Triton Day together and saw all that UC San Diego had to offer. Fortunately, we both made the decision to attend UC San Diego in the fall, and the next four years would be filled with memories and shared growth.

Despite both being engineering students, Sudarshan and I only took a single class together over the four years — organic chemistry. However, living on campus meant we still saw each other frequently. Our first year, we would hang out in my dorm room in Marshall, and he would take the late night walk back to his room in Revelle. We saw many raccoons (and once a kitten!) as we walked through the parking lot that is now Sixth College. Eventually, Sudarshan and I both became Revelle RAs, planning programs together and being some of the only people on campus during the early stages of the pandemic. We have so many fond memories, including Sudarshan dropping a watermelon off the top of Urey Hall, filming an official UC San Diego welcome video for incoming students, and playing Pokémon Go as an excuse to take our socially distant walks.

After graduation, I went on to get my MEd and teaching credential at UC San Diego, and Sudarshan started working at Illumina. Both of our jobs allowed us to stay in San Diego, just minutes from where we grew up. We plan to get married in the next year and hope to potentially host at least part of our wedding at UC San Diego — hopefully the right people see this and we can make it happen!

- Zoe Li ’21