We can credit the CBU Wallace Theatre with much: being a housing place for many-a-Chick-fil-A sandwich and papers about commedia dell'arte, as well as giving us an apprehension to Ben Nye foundation. But above all, it was the place we met. From the moment we both got to CBU in our respective freshman years, we found a community at this place. During this time as friends, we were cast in a show as love interests… to different people! Eventually, the year came to an end. Alexis found herself in a conversation with a friend about single guys in the theatre. “You know.. Nathan is single, but not for long.” “What do you mean?” “He’s single, but- he’s going to get swept up real quick… maybe by you!” Alexis just about died. She was not about to copy her parents and begin a relationship at CBU! Are you kidding? No way! Alexis will tell you she spent an odd amount of time that summer thinking about Nathan and how she wouldn’t like him. Definitely not, right?

So… not thinking about Nathan totally backfired after our college apartments found themselves about 20 feet across the way from each other. Nathan often found Alexis knocking on his door, inviting him and other friends to lunch, and Alexis found Nathan doing the same.A lot can be credited to Alexis’ intriguing opening line on the second day of school. We all went to Lazy Dog (our soon-to-be favorite restaurant), and somehow, Nathan and Alexis sat right next to each other! Of course, while Nathan was eating carrots, Alexis just had to point out that carrots give her the hiccups…always… without fail. From that moment on, she had piqued his interest. As they sat next to each other, many started to put the two together and wondered when we would realize we probably liked each other.We bring good news… we did finally figure it out! Over a bottle of Tums, of all things. Alexis was sick and couldn’t attend dinner with everyone. Nathan, feeling chivalrous, decided to text if there was anything, anything at all, she needed. Then he texted those sweet words every girl wants to hear at least once in their life, “do you think you need Tums maybe?” Sparks flew! While Nathan was skating over across the street to CVS to buy these Tums, he found himself thinking, “What am I doing? Why am I doing this? Would I do this for just a friend?” Alexis, at her apartment, found herself thinking a similar sort… “Why is he doing this? would he do this for just anyone?”

Eventually, we both began to get the picture. We went on our first date at the Citrus State Park. Alexis made a sad excuse for a soft launch by taking a picture of their shoes- and we never looked back!

For the rest of their time at CBU, Nathan and Alexis performed in more shows, worked in the shop together, went on dates to Disneyland, and committed an April Fools Engagement. We also got to know each other’s families. Nathan often found himself on planes back and forth to Chicago to visit Alexis and her family during breaks. We also took trips up to the Bay Area, little did we know we’d be up there soon enough.

After graduating, Alexis found her way up to Vallejo and began teaching at a private school. Nathan worked at a Lego store down in Southern California. This time was filled with many late-night Facetime calls and early morning flights as we flew up and down California, waiting for the time we’d get to be together in the same place again.

Finally, we are both in the same place at the same time. We happily teach at the same private school together and are awaiting being together forever!