John Augustine '00 and Jenna (Ligacki) Augustine '04

I met John's sister, Sarah Augustine, at Lewis University where we became best friends in the short amount of time that we knew each other. Sarah had hinted to me that she thought her brother and I would have made a good couple. However, John and I did not really get to know each other until tragedy occurred. His sister and my best friend Sarah were killed in a car accident on December 28, 2002 along with her boyfriend Brandon Hardy.  We got through that horrible time of our lives together and have been inseparable ever since.  John & I have now been together 7 years and we got married on October 6, 2007.  We both feel that an angel up in heaven helped her brother & best friend to find happiness with each other and that she is looking down and smiling. She knew that I couldn't live without my best friend and made sure that her brother would be there for me all the days of my life.

Kyle Cahill '07 and Trisha (Meyerchick) Cahill '07

We actually met our freshmen year of high school and dated for a few months, but we remained friends and became closer as we grew older. Freshmen year of college, Kyle went off to Lewis and I stayed home to go to community college. Sophomore year I decided to go transfer to Lewis and we grew even closer. We started dating, officially, sophomore year 2005 and were engaged in 2007. Kyle and Trisha have three children, the youngest, Ronin, was born May 29, 2014.

Mujahid “Mushtaq” Choudhary '02, '04 and Katie (Schaefer) Choudhary '03, '08

Mushtaq and I met after he graduated, in the spring semester of 2002. Mushtaq was a campus life coordinator and I was living with my softball teammates in North Hall. One evening, my best friend and I were having some troubles with the washing machines and he was on call. He took the brunt of her frustrations and was such a kind soul through it all, even offering us his key to Founders Hall so we could get our jerseys washed for our double-header the following day. That summer I worked as an orientation group leader, and he was a conference assistant. We worked together often, and our friendship continued to grow. Upon my graduation, I was hired as a campus life coordinator in 2003 and Mushtaq was the coordinator of student services. After a semester, I resigned to pursue my career in education. We then dated and were married in July of 2006, and our first son, Anthony Nicholas was born in December of 2008.

Michael '05 and Rachel (Kovach) Hilkert '06

We met in the fall of 2004 when I was collecting money for Hunger Week for University Ministry in the cafeteria at lunch time and I approached Mike’s table to ask for donations. He was a senior Sociology Major and I was a Junior Philosophy Major. We began dating after we immediately fell for each other. Mike moved to Texas in June 2004 to begin training as an Air Force pilot (he was ROTC at Lewis and prior enlisted Air Force). I moved to be with him in Texas after just one semester apart and finished my degree with Lewis through distance education. After I graduated, we were engaged in August and Mike’s pilot training sent us to Tucson, Arizona the following spring. We were married in October 2007 and by the end of November we were living in Germany! The assignment in Germany has allowed us amazing travel opportunities – in fact too many to count. We couldn’t be more blessed to have the opportunity to travel the world together as a newly married couple.

Jeff Frantz '06 and Leah (Nevell) Frantz '06

We met during the fall semester of 2004 when Jeff transferred into Lewis. Jeff lived near some of my friends in Fitzpatrick Hall. We took a few business classes and seminars together and remained friends during our final two years at Lewis. It wasn't until after we graduated that we started dating. We were married on November 6, 2010.

Kailin (O’Connell) Macak ’09 & Nick Macak ’06

My name is Kailin (O’Connell) Macak ’09, and I married my freshman orientation leader Nick Macak ’06, last June. We were acquaintances during the 2005-2006 school year, but after he graduated, we lost contact.  After six years, we reconnected through Facebook and mutual friends, and have been together ever since.  Nick is a mental health counselor in Lockport, and I teach middle school science in Naperville. We will celebrate our first wedding anniversary on June 28, 2015.

Paul James Malin '02 & Julie Elizabeth (Hartley) Malin '01

Julie transferred to Lewis while her mother was working in the school of education. Her mother happened to be friends with a woman whose son also attended Lewis. The son was friends with PJ Malin ‘02, and both men participated in Lewis’ InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

“I’m originally from Hawaii. Julie came to InterVarsity and expected to find a tall, tan handsome Hawaiian man from the islands and instead saw this tall, pale guy. After we got to know each other, I invited her out and we started dating,” says PJ.

The couple hit it off and found their soul mates in each other. It wasn’t long before they made the promise to spend the rest of their lives together – and even celebrated with a wedding on campus on May 25, 2002.

“We chose to be married here on campus because Lewis is where we met. The campus and the people have so much meaning to us. We had a lot of friends on campus that we wanted to be a part of it, too,” says Paul.

Julie added that the Den was a special place on campus for the couple because they’d go on dates there. They also took a class together, along with participating in InterVarsity and worship.

“We spent a lot of time in the chapel together,” adds Paul. “The chapel will always be a special place for us. We’re grateful for Lewis, and for so many wonderful friends, teachers and mentors who helped guide us along our way.”

PJ and Julie are now proud parents to son Ayden – their favorite Valentine.

James McGreal '02, '04 and Shannon (Swick) McGreal '03, '04

Jim and I met in 1999, during my freshman year at a Fellowship of Justice (FOJ) meeting. Becoming the best of friends was inevitable. Between having many criminal justice classes together, the same circle of friends, and the influence of Dr. Houlihan. After graduation, we both pursued our Master Degree’s in Public Safety Administration. In 2006 we were married and we now have 2 beautiful children.

Carlos Sanchez '02, '03 and Kerry Ann (Gas) Sanchez '06

We met Spring Semester of 2003, during Greek Week. I was a freshman, and Carlos was finishing his master's degree, working as a Campus Security Supervisor. Some of my friends were pledging Carlos' fraternity, Alpha Gamma Chi. We dated the rest of my years at Lewis, and we were married August 31, 2008 at the Sancta Alberta Chapel on campus. Most of our wedding party and family are also Lewis Alumni. We reside happily in Las Vegas, where Carlos is a LVMPD police officer and I am in graduate school.

Andrew Satunas '01 and Amanda (Driscoll) Satunas '01

Andy and I met at the end of my freshman year and his sophomore year in the Spring of 1998. We met in the basement of Founders Hall. He tried to teach me Euchre, which I came to find out that he had no idea what he was doing but I thought he did. At that time, email wasn't such a convenience, so we actually wrote each other letters over the summer and made a few drives between Peoria and Wheaton. The rest is history. We were married in 2005 and now we are thrilled to have our two year old son, Drew.

Roberto '02 and DeAnne (Druszkowski) Suarez '02

During their junior year at Lewis University, Roberto and DeAnne (Druszkowski) Suarez met through mutual friends at North Hall.

“I was in Phi Kappa Theta and she had joined Delta Sigma Pi, and mutual friends introduced us. We’d spend time with my fraternity brothers and go to athletic games once in a while. We just enjoyed spending time together talking and going out dancing with friends,” says Roberto.

Roberto was very outgoing, serving as the Vice President of the Student Governing Board. He was tasked with coordinating the spring formal – for which he recruited the quieter, shyer DeAnne for help. In time, the couple knew they were meant to spend their lives together and celebrated their marriage at Lewis University.

According to DeAnne, “We had this cool experience once when we were up there on Memorial Day weekend. A butterfly landed on one of our shoulders and then a few minutes later it landed on the other person’s shoulder right outside the chapel. We thought it was a sign.”

“When we got married and met there, it was a special choice. We chose to be married at Lewis because we met here,” Roberto says. “We both really enjoyed our experience at school and felt a strong connection to Lewis.”

The couple - both first generation college graduates – is grateful for their time spent on campus.

“Lewis is a huge part of my life,” says Roberto. “I have a lot of respect for Brother James Gaffney and for the people at Lewis. The school is a big piece of who I am. Some of our best friends are from Lewis.”

“It’s so important to take advantage of the experiences,” adds DeAnne. “This helps you out in life. I’m not a spotlight person and so participating in those activities was important. And there is so much to choose from.  These opportunities helped me grow and come out of my shell and grow my confidence.”

Doug Wendt '01 and Michelle (Farina) Wendt '02

We met while competing on the Lewis University Flight Team. Doug was my pilot; I was his bombadier! The rest is history.

James Zawaski '01 and Hope Zawaski '01

Hope and I never met during our time at Lewis, but met quickly after I graduated at our mutual friend (Jill Leahy's) graduation party. We were both big fans of the Blackhawks (even back then) and began attending games together. From there, we began dating, and the rest is history. We were married at Lewis on May 24, 2008.