The magic began nearly three years ago at Slippery Rock University. Stressed by college life, Steve decided it would be best if he collected his thoughts by taking a long walk. This walk led him to the student union. He knew that a Starbucks Non-Fat Latte’ with two Splendas would ease his worries enough that he could continue to study for his Accounting II final exam, an exam he “forgot” to take the semester prior.

Before Steve could even enjoy the first sip, in walks a tall, dark haired women (nicely dressed I might add). She threw her back pack at Steve’s feet and sat on a nearby chair with a thud and a sigh. She quickly kicked off her heals and began to moan about her aching feet. Without hesitation she held her feet up to Steve and said, “I know that you don’t know me but my feet really hurt and I’ve got a flash dance presentation in an hour. Do you mind massaging them?”

Steve was taken aback by such a request but obliged anyways. Something intrigued him about Lauren; he had learned her first name just moments prior to the hand on foot contact. As he continued to massage Lauren’s feet, there was never a hesitation in their conversation. Time had flown by and to the astonishment of both; an hour had come and gone. Lauren, in a panic realizing she was late for her flash dance presentation, grabbed her shoes and ran from the Union. Steve, beside himself, hung his head in the disbelief that he had never asked Lauren where she lived or what her last name was. There on the floor beside him laid the most beautiful pair of knitted hot pink ankle warmers he had ever seen with the initials L.D. stitched into them. He knew then it was a sign that they were destined to be together.

For days, Steve Hlavek searched hi and low for the owner of the ankle warmers. He went to every dorm, every office, every social function…but to no avail. One day while sitting under a tree, feeling somewhat defeated, his eyes grazed the grounds around him. In the far distance he could see a human billboard pacing the sidewalk. He jumped to his feet and tried to get a closer look with the binoculars he had made a habit of carrying. The ‘billboard’ read: Anyone caught wearing my pink ankle warmers will be charged with theft. Steve began his run from across the park, thankful that he was still feeling the benefits from his former track training. As he approached Lauren, waiving the hot pink ankle warmers, security came from nowhere throwing Steve to the ground. Lauren recognized him as the man with the great hands and asked that they release Steve at once. Helping Steve to his feet, Lauren asked if he would be willing to give her another foot massage and to this day, he continues to do so.

Ok, so none of the above is true, but it could have happened. :o)

It all started at 209 Pine Glenn Apartments, the premier apartments for college students in Slippery Rock. We were introduced at a “social gathering” by mutual friends, both feeling sorry for us due to our “single” statuses. After having talked the entire evening and into the wee hours of the morning, it was very apparent that we had quite a connection. Early into our relationship we knew that we would be together forever. We shared our love for many things: music, peanut butter and honey sandwiches and most importantly, each other. Here we are now: a little less than a year before our wedding date and very eager to walk down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Hlavek.

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. ~Emily Brontë