Valentine’s Day celebrates love between two people. The Collegian asked Fresno State students, alumni, faculty and staff to share how they met their partners on campus. Dozens of responses highlighted how college life can spark lasting relationships.
Juana Gonzalez and Gus Gonzalez
Juana Gonzalez, left, and Gus Gonzalez pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Juana Gonzalez)
Juana and Gus Gonzalez met through mutual friends in campus clubs while they were students at Fresno State. Juana said some of their favorite memories come from being involved in fraternity and sorority life.
Her advice for students is to stay open to connection while maintaining independence.
“Be patient, it will happen when you least expect it,” Juana said. “Your partner should be your best friend, and a healthy relationship doesn’t require you to lose yourself or your friendships.”
Erika Castro and Henry Goff Jr.
Erika Castro, left, and Henry Goff Jr. pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Erika Castro)
Erika Castro and Henry Goff Jr. met in an art class when they sat next to each other. Their first conversation started when Goff noticed a Shinobu scrunchie in Castro’s hair, and the two bonded over anime, including “Demon Slayer.”
After class, Goff invited her out for boba. They stayed friends through the semester, occasionally seeing each other around campus, until they reconnected a year later through Instagram.
“He later admitted he purposely sat behind me in art so he could see what I was drawing,” Castro said.
The couple is still together and has been dating for nearly two years. Castro said they are currently long-distance, with Goff working in Los Angeles and Castro staying in the Central Valley.
Her advice: “Just shoot your shot. You will never know if you will ever see that person again.”
Giovanna Ayaviri and Alejandro Sanchez
Alejandro Sanchez, left, and Giovanna Ayaviri pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Giovanna Ayaviri)
Giovanna Ayaviri and Alejandro Sanchez met while studying on the third floor of the Fresno State Library. Ayaviri said she was studying with a classmate who was also Sanchez’s roommate when Sanchez joined them to study for his own class.
The two grew closer over time, became friends and later made it official at a Halloween party.
One of their favorite memories, Ayaviri said, was graduating together and walking in the Chicano/Latino Student Commencement Celebration. The couple has been together for three years.
Ayaviri now works as an engineer for the state of California, and Sanchez is a teacher in the Fresno area.
“Finding love is great, but don’t let it distract you from your studies,” Ayaviri said. “Make sure your partner has the same goals as you.”
Josslyn Caskey and Nikko Gutierrez
Josslyn Caskey, left, and Nikko Gutierrez pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Josslyn Caskey)
Josslyn Caskey and Nikko Gutierrez first met years before college, but reconnected later and built their relationship while continuing their education. Caskey said they initially crossed paths in middle school band, then spoke again in high school at a career fair where they worked booths next to each other.
Later, while working on a senior thesis project, Caskey reached out to Gutierrez on Instagram. Their first date was a musical at College of the Sequoias, and they began dating about a month later.
“Choose a partner who can make you laugh,” Caskey said. “Life is hard, but it gets a little easier when you experience it with your best friend.”
Nathaly Juarez and Aaron Eddings
Nathaly Juarez, left, and Aaron Eddings pose for a photo
Nathaly Juarez met Aaron Eddings during Summer Bridge in 2008, the summer before their freshman year at Fresno State. Juarez said Eddings sat behind her in class and stood out for how quickly he completed math assignments.
When Juarez struggled with homework, she asked Eddings for help.
“He was really good at teaching and patient at explaining,” Juarez said.
The couple started dating the week they returned to campus as freshmen. Juarez said their favorite memory includes attending a Jay-Z concert at the Save Mart Center in 2009, which she described as their first concert together.
They are still together and will celebrate 18 years in August. They live in Fresno and have a 2-year-old son, with another child on the way.
“The best love stories happen when you least expect it,” Juarez said.
Ivanna Gómez and Hayden Inman
Ivanna Gómez, right, and Hayden Inman pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Ivanna Gómez)
Ivanna Gómez said her relationship with Hayden Inman started with an introduction through mutual connections made during orientation. After exchanging social media, Gómez realized they had overlapping friend groups, and the two began texting.
Their first in-person hangout was with friends at Panda Express on campus, and Gómez said they continued seeing each other regularly between classes. They later made their relationship official on Thanksgiving and have been together for two years.
Gómez said communication has been key.
“Communicate literally everything,” Gómez said. “You learn a lot about boundaries when you communicate.”
Alexa McLaughlin and Randy Gonzalez Reyes
Randy Gonzalez Reyes, left, and Alexa McLaughlin. (Courtesy of Alexa McLaughlin)
Alexa McLaughlin and Randy Gonzalez Reyes met on their first day at Fresno State after McLaughlin asked Gonzalez Reyes for directions to class. The two soon realized they were headed to the same class and became friends.
McLaughlin later learned Gonzalez Reyes did not actually know where the class was.
“He just pointed me in a random direction because he was convinced he would never see me again,” McLaughlin said.
The couple said their story stands out because they met each other first before meeting others on campus.
Alejandra Sandoval and Brent Harwell
Alejandra Sandoval, left, and Brent Harwell pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Alejandra Sandoval)
Alejandra Sandoval and Brent Harwell met during Summer Bridge in 2008 during an activity at the Satellite Student Union, when participants were asked to find a partner. Sandoval said Harwell chose her, and the two spent the activity talking and learning about each other.
Afterward, Harwell asked Sandoval’s roommate for her number, and she said they continued texting throughout the summer. When Summer Bridge ended, they had two weeks off before the fall semester began, and they reunited in August. “The rest was history,” Sandoval said.
Their Fresno State memories include studying together, attending concerts at the Save Mart Center and going to football games. The couple now lives in Merced with their three children.
Sandoval said the best advice she can offer students is to keep their goals in focus while supporting each other through stressful periods.
“Learn to communicate and work through them together,” Sandoval said.
Courtney Danell Walker and Skyler Walker
Courtney Danell Walker, left, and Skyler Walker pose for a photo. (Courtesy of Courtney Danell Walker)
Courtney Danell and Skyler Walker met through a campus social club that was later renamed Geeks and Gamers. Courtney said she was tabling when Skyler wrote his name down as “Sky Walker,” and she assumed he was joking.
“I was then informed that it is indeed his name,” she said.
The two went on their first date on Oct. 24, 2014, and marked their official anniversary the next day. Courtney said some of their favorite memories include club meetings and putting on FresCon together.
The couple has been together for 11 years and married for six. They have two children. Courtney is a probation officer for the county, and Skyler is an electrical instructor for the local electricians’ union.
Her advice: “Talk to everyone. Go to the tabling events and join clubs. You never know who you might meet.”
Zaida Lopez and Isaac Sandoval
Zaida Lopez, left, and Isaac Sandoval pose for a photo (Courtesy of Zaida Lopez)
Zaida Lopez met Isaac Sandoval in 2018 during an archaeological field school at “Grandad,” she said, describing long days of excavation work that eventually led to their relationship. Lopez was a sophomore and Sandoval, a junior, served as a group supervisor.
Lopez said the relationship began with small moments, including her offering Sandoval gummy candy she had been saving. She asked for his number, and later the two continued talking through texts that turned into hiking dates and food outings.
The couple returned to the same field school the following year as supervisors, and Sandoval later proposed at Morro Bay in 2021. They married in 2022 and now share a home with rescued pets.
One of Lopez’s favorite Fresno State memories was feeding squirrels on campus together.
“Work hard and stay focused on your goals, but don’t close yourself off to connection,” Lopez said.
Laura Ede and Joel Ede
Laura Ede, right, and Joel Ede pose for a photo. (Laura Ede and Joel Ede )
Laura met Joel during her senior year at Fresno State. Both were in MCJ 1 and had noticed each other in class, but did not speak, she said. Laurawas in a sorority and frequently went to University Chicken after Monday meetings. Midway through the semester, a new bartender was hired, Joel.
After talking at the bar, Joel said a friend gave him her number. The two texted during spring break, went on their first date at Casa Corona after returning, and began dating the next week.
The couple will celebrate 16 years of marriage in May and have two boys. Laura said they enjoyed attending Fresno State football and baseball games together and later brought their children to a home football game.
She said her advice to students is to put themselves out there and try new things.
“You never know who you will meet,” she said.
Ashley Borges and Matthew Borges
Ashley Borges, left, and Matthew Borges pose for a photo.
Ashley met Matthew at a social event hosted by his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, and her sorority, Phi Mu. Ashley said their favorite memories include Greek life and, as alumni, tailgating in the White Lot and hosting friends for home football games.
Most recently, Ashley said they brought their 7-month-old daughter to Valley Children’s Stadium and took photos on the field.
The couple married in October 2022 but have been together for 13 years, Ashley said. They live in Kingsburg and still attend Fresno State events and athletic games.
“Don’t take life so seriously,” she said. “Make memories and find your true friends.”
Crystal Moritz and Luke Moritz
Luke Moritz, left, and Crystal Moritz pose for a photo.
Crystal met Luke through the Smittcamp Family Honors College and Craig Business Scholars. Both were marketing majors, and Crystal said they spent time together early on through dorm hangouts, including “Gilmore Girls” watch parties with her roommates.
Crystal said they attended the first Smittcamp Family Honors College formal dance wearing matching pink outfits and took a photo together. Despite meeting early, the two did not date until about six years later.
The couple has been married for nearly 15 years and has two children. They live in Fresno and both work in marketing.
“Focus on developing a friendship with someone first,” Crystal said. “And see where it goes.”
Giselle Déjà Vue and Trey Lorta
Giselle Déjà Vue, left, and Trey Lorta pose for a photo.
Giselle Déjà Vue met Trey Lorta through the Fresno State competition cheer team, where Lorta returned as an alumnus to help fill out the roster for competition season. Although he was not a Fresno State graduate, Déjà Vue said their shared commitment to cheerleading brought them together.
Déjà Vue said she was shy at first and avoided conversations, but later grew more comfortable and began spending time with him outside practice. The two began dating in Summer 2022.
Her favorite memories include Lorta attending football games to watch her cheer and later watching him graduate, she said. Déjà Vue is finishing her final two semesters at Fresno State, majoring in sports marketing, and works as a cheer coach. Lorta graduated with a degree in food and culinary science and works for E. and J. Gallo Winery.
“Dating in college can be complicated,” Déjà Vue said. “Communicate how you feel.”
Tatyana Shoaf and Jonathan Camaquin
Tatyana Shoaf, left, and Jonathan Camaquin pose for a photo.
Tatyana Shoaf met Jonathan Camaquin online before he transferred to Fresno State in Fall 2022. Their first date was at Campus Pointe, where they got ice cream and visited a comic book store. Shoaf said their second date brought them to the Fresno State Library, where Camaquin showed her study spots and resources.
Months later, Shoaf encouraged Camaquin to try out for the Fresno State cheer team. When he made the team, attending football games became a shared tradition that strengthened their relationship. Shoaf said her favorite memory is going to games and feeling school spirit together.
Camaquin has graduated from Fresno State and completed his credential program. He now substitutes in Clovis Unified and hopes to secure a permanent teaching position, Shoaf said. Shoaf is a kinesiology physical education major and is one year from graduating.
“Push each other to be the best versions of yourselves,” Shoaf said.
Sarah Faeth and Tyler Faeth
Tyler Faeth, left, and Sarah Faeth pose for a photo.
Sarah met Tyler through mutual friends at Fresno State in 2011. Although they often ran into each other around campus, they did not spend time together one-on-one until years later, she said.
In fall 2013, Sarah said she had a night class in the Peters Business Building, and Tyler would wait after class to walk her to her car. Sometimes they would grab a beer afterward. She said she initially did not view it as romantic until he insisted on paying.
The two began dating in October 2013, graduated together in 2014 and married in 2017. Sarah Faeth said one of their favorite memories was attending the 2013 Mountain West Conference football championship game.
The couple lives in San Antonio, Texas. Sarah works in higher education development, and her husband works for an IT database firm, she said. They have a 4-year-old son.
“Enjoy your time in college,” Sarah said. “Go to the events, the sports, the parties. Take risks.”