Love is in the air at Ohio Northern University! From meet-cutes in research labs to friendships that blossomed into marriage, ONU has played cupid for generations of Polar Bears. This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating some of these love stories that began right here in Ada, OH.
Love at First Lecture
Kristen and Micah Sobota’s story began in 2007. However, it was not with a romantic chance encounter but instead within a faculty meeting. Kristen, a newly hired professor, met Micah through a mutual colleague who introduced them based on their shared roots in the Ohio Valley. That simple introduction led to dating, a wedding in 2010, and two future Polar Bears currently growing up in the Sobota household.
From Classmates to Soulmates
Julie and Mike Hurtig spent years as classmates at ONU before realizing that they were meant to be more than just friends. It wasn’t until their senior year that they started dating, and now, 34 years later, they continue to prove that the best relationships take time to grow.
Lab Rats and Love Matches
For Natalie Meek and Colin Del Valle, love started in one of the most unexpected places—a research rat lab. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Phil Zoladz, the two met while working on research projects. Later, fate brought them together again when Colin, a pharmacy intern at Walgreens, administered Natalie’s first COVID vaccine. Fast forward to today, they’re life partners and recently engaged and planning a future together.
From Lane Lines to Lifelong
Patrick Reed and Arin Wade first met on the swim team and later bonded while lifeguarding the same long evening shifts, where coworkers quickly turned into friendship. As Arin helped Patrick navigate multiple public-safety parking ticket appeals during her time as Senate President, their connection deepened—leading to five years together, an engagement in May 2025, and an exciting move to Philadelphia this fall after Arin’s spring graduation to begin her fellowship.
A Chance Intro & A Perfect Lap
Natalie Garrett and Justin Delano met their senior year when a mutual friend introduced them at John and Tony’s, where the three laughed, talked, and played cards—until the friend grabbed a drink and conveniently disappeared. Left together, Natalie and Justin exchanged numbers, and the very next weekend Justin invited her to an autocross … and from that first race-day invite on, the rest was history as they celebrate two years together this April.
Meet-Cute in Music
Scott Mitsko and Megan Bell found each other through their shared love of music. Though they had different connections within ONU’s music department, their paths crossed through mutual organizations and, of course, a little help from ONU’s own therapy dogs at Polar Paws. They celebrated their marriage ceremony together in October 2025.
Neighbors to Fiancés
When Maggie Biltz and Andrew Teigeler moved into neighboring apartments, neither suspected they were moving in next to their future spouse. What started as neighborly friendship grew into romance, and today, the two are engaged and preparing to tie the knot in September 2026.
The Track to Forever
Jeremy and Alisa Agozzino first connected through their shared passion for track and field. While their journey began as teammates during their senior year, it quickly evolved into a partnership that has lasted nearly 20 years.
A Love That Began on Day One
For Josh and Jenny Gargac, the ONU Honors Program brought them together on their very first day as first-year students. Living in Clark Hall, they bonded over late-night study sessions and shared campus experiences. Fifteen years later, they’re still walking through life together hand in hand.
Friendships That Led to Forever
Rachel Thompson and Thomas Miller’s love story took time to unfold. They met on their first day of freshmen orientation but didn’t really get to know each other until sophomore year. Through a mutual friend (and a game of spikeball), their friendship turned into something more. Now, as P6 pharmacy students, they look forward to a lifetime of partnership, both in love and in their careers, as they got engaged this past July after the filming of this video.
Boy Next Door Meets Girl Next Door
Orion Gonzalez and Carys Williams met by chance on social media, where they bonded over their own unique names. What began as a simple conversation quickly turned into long texts and TV nights. After four weeks of dorm visits and three binge-watch marathons, friendship grew into romance. The couple celebrates two years in September!
Set Up for Love
For Jacob McClure and Ean Worth, love was in the hands of mutual friends. A well-timed setup led to sparks flying, the engaged couple now residing together while completing the last of their pharmacy rotations prior to graduation together in May 2026.
A Hallway Encounter That Led to Happily Ever After
Clayton and Becky Casey’s story proves that sometimes, the most ordinary moments can lead to extraordinary love. Meeting in the back hallway and parking lot of Presser Hall, their chance encounters grew into a lifelong partnership. Now, after nearly 37 years of marriage, they continue to stand as a testament to the power of fate (and ONU’s small campus bringing people together!).
ONU’s history is rich with love stories like these—proof that among the lectures, labs, and late-night study sessions, something even more profound can take root! Whether it’s a chance meeting in a research lab, a faculty introduction, or a slow-burn romance that took years to spark, ONU remains a place where connections are made and love endures.
Want to hear more about these love stories? Check out our special Valentine’s Meet Cute video—Polar Attraction—featuring interviews with these couples as they share their ONU love stories in their own words!