Spouses Day, January 26, is a time to celebrate the enduring love stories that have blossomed over the years. For many Lehigh couples, their journeys together began at Lehigh, and it has been the backdrop for countless love stories that have stood the test of time.
Whether it was the spark of friendship that grew into something more or the perfect timing of meeting the right person in the right place, these couples prove that sometimes, the best things in life come when you least expect them.
Gary ’89 and Dani (Rasmus) Crichton ’89
“Meant to be — right person, right place, right time”
Dani and Gary were classmates at Lehigh but never met — until their 10-year reunion in June 1999.
"Gary was immediately smitten by my complicated dinner order, which was 'a pizza with no cheese and extra sauce,'" Dani laughs. After the reunion, they went their separate ways — Dani to New York City and Gary to Washington, D.C. — but fate had other plans.
"I tracked him down through the Lehigh alumni database," Dani says, and two weeks later, Gary came to visit her. Their relationship took off from there, and they were married in 2001. One of their three children attends Lehigh, and they love coming back for Rivalry and any other chance they get.
Michael ’93 and Maria (Caiazzo) Constantinou ’93
“You don’t have to change the monogram”
Maria and Michael’s love story began in November 1992 when they were set up as dates for the Alpha Gam fall formal in their senior year.
"We had a great night and started dating right after," Maria says.
A month into their relationship, Maria’s roommate jokingly suggested that Maria wouldn’t need to change her monogram if she married Michael.
"I kicked her under the table, but it turned out to be true!" Michael laughs. They married in 1997 at a wedding attended by many of their Lehigh friends, including five in the wedding party.
Doug ’97 and Danna (Gombocz) Yates ’97
“Truth is often stranger than fiction”
Doug and Danna first met in August 1993 during a freshman orientation class at Lehigh.
"We shared an adviser, and despite initially gravitating toward different majors, we formed a connection early on," Doug explains.
Their relationship blossomed as they dated throughout their time at Lehigh. After graduation, they went their separate ways — Doug pursuing graduate studies in England and Danna entering the workforce. But after years apart, they reunited in 2019. They were married in 2021 on the 28th anniversary of their first date at Lehigh and share a blended family of five teenagers.
Marc ’00 ’01G and Ruth (Dubinsky) Heffes ’00
“Engineers for life creating a family engineered by Lehigh”
Ruth and Marc’s love story began in August 1996 during freshman orientation. Though Ruth initially couldn’t place Marc’s face, she later realized they’d met years before on a teen trip to Israel. For the record, Marc remembered not only where they’d met before, but Ruth’s name as well. Their connection grew from friendship into romance during their time at Lehigh.
"We became closer again when I needed a place to stay off campus and Marc offered me a room in his house," Ruth recalls. “After a few weeks of arguments with my three male housemates about their tidiness, Marc asked to talk to me. I thought he was kicking me out, but instead he asked to start dating!”
They married in 2002 and have since built a family shaped by their shared experiences at Lehigh.
Travis ’02 and Megan (Goss) Hannan ’04
“Encompassing!”
Megan and Travis met at a party in October 2000, thanks to a friend who dragged Megan along despite her reluctance.
"I’m so glad I went," Megan says. "That night, I met Travis, and he asked me to come back the next day."
Their connection was instantaneous. "It was love at first sight," she reflects.
They married in 2006 on the sixth anniversary of their first meeting. They have since built a life together full of friends and memories from Lehigh.
"Lehigh is so intertwined in our story," Megan says. "It gave me not only the love of my life but some of my best friends, too."
Josh ’12 and Julia (Merz) Westbrook ’12
“Band kids falling in love”
It was Marching 97 band camp that brought Julia, a piccolo player, and Josh, on tenor sax, together in 2008.
"We were good friends in and out of band during our first year, but it wasn’t until sophomore year that we really took notice of each other and started dating," Julia recalls.
Their connection deepened through their time in the band, with Josh serving as drum major junior and senior year and Julia switching to tenor sax. Their relationship reached a full-circle moment when the Marching 97 “flamed” their wedding in 2014. Ten years later, they still cherish the music that brought them together.
Adam Goldstein ’16 ’17G and Abby Farrell ’15 ’16G
“The best things in life come when you least expect them”
Adam and Abby first met in 2015 through a mutual friend.
"We sat and talked for 45 minutes, and I awkwardly asked for her number," Adam remembers.
Their connection was casual at first, but after a hike in Jim Thorpe, things began to shift.
"It wasn’t until one of Abby’s friends pointed out that I was really into her that she realized I wanted more," Adam says.
Over time, their friendship blossomed into love. "By the end of that fall, we were inseparable," he adds.
Their journey, filled with twists and turns, culminated in marriage in July 2023.
