You’re hanging out with your crew when a few kids stumble into your apartment, probably as a result of some drunken shenanigans. Mutual friends link the two groups together, but you don’t recognize most of the faces. For most Penn State students, it’s just a typical night. 

For Kimberly Malizia, one of those unfamiliar faces would one day become her husband.

The couple first met at Malizia’s apartment at Nittany Pointe while the two were both attending school at the Altoona campus. On the night Malizia first met Michael, she didn’t really think much of the encounter. In fact, she actually completely brushed off Michael’s attempts at spending time with her.

“Michael kept trying to hang out with me,” Malizia said, “but I thought it was weird that such an attractive guy wanted to hang out with me.”

For the next two years, the two lived their college lives separately. Malizia never had the thought of a relationship with Michael on her mind — that is, until another should-have-been typical night brought the two together again.

Malizia decided to spend the night out at  Bill Pickle’s Tap Room with some friends when Michael spotted her from across the packed bar. The place was nearly overflowing, but Michael, a determined man, made his way through the thick crowd to approach her.

This time around, Malizia didn’t brush off Michael’s attention — the sparks were instantaneous.

The two continued to talk for the rest of the evening. “From that day we started making country night a regular date,” Malizia said.

Those country nights at Pickle’s eventually turned into the perfect Penn State wedding. After graduating a year apart from each other (2012 and 2013), they held their picturesque wedding right here in State College. The couple enjoyed spending the day goofing around and visiting some old hangouts, this time in much fancier clothes.

“Our wedding pictures made the Penn State Snapchat story as we were taking shots and kissing on the bar at Pickle’s, [as well as] playing football on Old Main Lawn,” Malizia said.

The Malizias have now been together for more than three years. To this day, they still can’t believe their seemingly insignificant encounter one night would lead to something so extraordinary.