Happy Valentine's Day from SAF!

February 11, 2016

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we wanted to share with you a few stories that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy - the age old tale of meeting your love on campus and living happily ever after.

Amena and Sherry

Pictured above are Amena and Sherry, this is their story.

Where did you first meet?

We both were students at Waterloo, in the AFM program, however I was a year after his. We never met while in school. It wasn’t until I had an interview with Deloitte for my last co-op position, and Sherry (now my husband) was the interviewer that we met for the first time.

When did you start dating?

We ended up working together for 4 months, before both of us went to do our Masters. He went to England and I went back to Waterloo. We stayed in touch for 3 years, going for dinners, or coffee, but just as friends.

He ended up meeting my brother and mom on a plane while on a trip with his family. After that, my mom invited them all for dinner, and then his family invited us for dinner. We became family friends and our parents were the ones asking us to date. Eventually we gave in and decided to give it a chance.

What is your fondest memory of UW?

We dated for a year, and one day he asked me to meet him at Tatham Centre as he did a lot of recruiting events. He said a friend of his was visiting from Ireland and wanted us to meet her for dinner. I personally am not a driving person. So for me to drive to Waterloo alone was a BIG deal. Not to mention, on my way there, an accident happened right in front of my car. I was so ready to turn around! I made my way to the co-op building. As I walked inside, the lights were off and a song started to play on the speaker system in the building. I knew right then it was happening. I started walking up the stairs. I got to the third floor, and noticed a path of flowers laid out to the end of the hall, with candles on either side. Flowers all the way to the end, and that's where he was standing. This is where we first met, where he interviewed me 5 years ago, before we even started dating. Now every time I go back for campus recruiting, I have that memory with me. Absolutely loved everything about it!

John and Laura

Where did you first meet?

We met during Frosh week in September 1985.

What did you do on your first date?

We took the bus to downtown Kitchener, went to Harvey’s for dinner, then went to see the movie Commando with Arnold Schwarzenegger. I still take heat for that from friends when I tell them the story, but Laura never complained.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UW?

Just spending time with Laura and our friends. We didn’t have much money back then, but we still had a lot fun. Many fun nights at the Bomber and Fed Hall also.

How long have you been married?

We got married December 30, 1989 and have been married 26 years.

Do you have any marriage advice you’d like to share?

• Do things together and spend time together as a couple and a family.

• Be on the same page when it comes to the kids, family and finances. We always have each other’s back no matter what.

• We go for 2 or 3 walks a week. This is time together when you get to talk and also get some exercise.

Kevin and Tracy

Where did you first meet?

We first met in Hagey Hall Room 138.  This was in the very early days of the MAcc program so the class size was quite small, about 35 students, and this room was used for the majority of the classes.  Tracy was sitting in the upper tier of the class looking down at me (or more likely looking through me) in the first tier.

What did you do on your first date?

We didn't start "dating" until a number of years after graduation although we were friends throughout that time and got together occasionally, especially when fellow classmate Dennis and I played the "starving pathetic young bachelor" card in order to get Tracy to cook for us.  I suppose we moved from "friends" to "dating" the first time we "cheated" on Dennis and didn't invite him to a dinner.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UW? 

Coming back for the graduation ceremony on a beautiful sunny day and just hanging out with a special group of classmates in front of proud parents.

How soon after graduation did you marry? 

It took me a number of years after graduation to finish my maturation process (like a fine wine) before Tracy would take me seriously so we didn't start actually dating until 4 years after graduation, but things moved fast after that and we were married within 5 years of graduation.

How long have you been married? 

April 16th will be our 22nd anniversary.

Do you have any marriage advice you’d like to share? 

Don't take life too seriously, laugh often, and travel.

John and Dorothy

Where did you first meet? 

We were living in Kershaw apartments when our friends introduced us. We started dating while we were on a co-op work term together.

What did you do on your first date?  

It was unplanned - we were working late on an inventory count and went out to dinner afterwards.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UW?

Graduating! And going to Oktoberfest with our friends.

How soon after graduation did you marry? 

We moved abroad together in 1996 and got married in 1997.

How long have you been married?

18 years.

Do you have any marriage advice you’d like to share?

An equal partnership is the foundation for everything else. And a little mutual attraction doesn’t hurt either…  ;)