Another Friday, another segment of Penn State Love Stories! Let me start out by saying with every submission I’ve read I’ve audibly ‘awed’ and forced my boyfriend to read them too. We met on Tinder…which kind of makes me wish that we had a story as romantic as the ones I receive from all of you!

This week’s segment features a soccer player, elevator romance, and even neighbors turned lovers.

Owen Griffith and Sammy Koterwas

Graduation date: 2015

(Photo from: Samantha Koterwas)

Penn State men’s soccer team standout Owen Griffith met his future fiance in a moment she doesn’t even remember. Owen explains that he met Sammy his freshman year in West Halls…

“I met Sammy in West Halls freshman year, but she doesn’t remember our first encounter. Through mutual friends, we found ourselves at the same party soon after. Even though it was a big, crazy party, I remember her looking like she wasn’t having much fun. In an act of uncharacteristic courage, I walked up and kissed her out of nowhere. I told her even if she was offended and never talked to me again, I wouldn’t regret it because I could say I kissed the prettiest girl at the party. Leaving the party later, I saw her walking farther up the street and drunkly shouted, ‘SAMMY K!’ and ran to catch up with her, at which point we started talking more. Luckily, I think I was able to imprint myself on her memory this time.”

Their relationship only elevated from there, “I learned that she lived basically directly above my dorm room. She had moved to West Halls after quitting her sorority, which had not been her scene. Like any blossoming freshman romance, we continued our courtship on a date in the dining hall. I put on a button up shirt (first time in a long time) and she had a pink sweatshirt on. We quickly became inseperable and I spent pretty much all of my time with her that wasn’t spent in class or at soccer practice.” Owen said.

“We started officially dating on July 8, 2012 when we spent a weekend at the beach together. For the next 3 years she came to all of my PSU soccer games and cheered for me rain or shine. She worked with little kids in PSU nutrition research, and I tried to help her with her busy schedule. Some of our favorite things to do were walk through the Arboretum and dance like idiots at the Phyrst. I knew I wanted to marry her right away. I finally mustered up the courage to ask her on June 23, 2015. I signed a contract to play professional soccer in New Zealand earlier that week, and in short notice they booked my flight for that Friday, June 26. I could not have left the country without making certain that I would be able to hang out with this cool chick for the rest of my life.”

Current status: Engaged!

Matt and Jill Altimare

Graduation year: 2010

Jill and Matt were meant to be after meeting each other during their freshman year. “Matt and I both attended Berks Campus and met through mutual friends our freshman year right before winter break. I ended up moving into a dorm directly above his, and it stayed that way through the rest of freshman and sophomore year.” Jill explained.

After that first meeting, Matt made a move thanks to a little internet creeping, “Matt friended me on Facebook, found my AIM (what?) screen name and messaged me over break with the opening line of ‘hi it’s Matt from downstairs.’ I likely went weak at the knees.”

Current status: Married! The two were even married in the Eishenhower Chapel at the Nittany Lion Inn.

Adam and Lindsay Dorney

Graduation year: 2010

(Photo From: Adam and Lindsay Dorney)

Lindsay met Adam her freshman year  in the elevator. Let this serve as a lesson to those blasting headphones and staring at your phone while on the elevator… you never know who might walk through the doors.

Lindsay explains her story like so, “We were both on the same elevator in Mifflin Hall our freshman year on Main Campus. It was the weekend before classes were to start, and my roommate and I were heading to the quad to play volleyball. When Adam got onto the elevator, I asked if he wanted to play volleyball…little did he know I had asked him because my roommate and I thought his butt was cute.”

After the momental meeting: “We became friends for a year and then started dating mid sophomore year and have been together ever since. He proposed on New Year’s Eve, 2014, after leading me on a memory lane tour of all our favorite places on campus and then asking me at the Veterans Plaza on Main Campus, and we were married November 8th, 2014.”

(Photo From: Adam and Lindsay Dorney)

Current status: Married and have known each other for over seven years.

Thanks again to those who sent in pictures and submissions, if you would like your story featured in the next week’s love stories segment, click here to fill out the form.

Also, f you missed last week’s set of stories you can find them here.