Miami Merger stories

One Miami Merger couple connected in their Cell Biology class, another discovered romance during an Econ exam. Miamians share their stories of love for Valentine’s Day.

Embark on a nostalgic journey through the lives of four married couples who share a special bond forged at Miami. In this intimate Q&A, we uncover their love stories, starting from their serendipitous meetings on campus to the milestones that shaped their relationships.

2024 Miami Merger valentine continues cherished tradition

Her ‘u’ and his ‘s’ were destiny’s ‘us’

Since 1973, the Miami University Alumni Association has mailed thousands of cards to show how much alma mater cares.

Pat and Charley Cortright, members of the Class of 1948, recall their post-WWII courting days at Miami

With Valentine's Day only two weeks away, Miami Mergers love telling how they met and proposed, not on the same day, of course.

Lisa and Lincoln Butts met at Miami. They dated at Miami. He proposed to her during a sorority event in Benton Hall. They married in Kumler Chapel. They even return to Oxford to celebrate their anniversaries. You can’t get much more Miami Merger-ish than that.

The summer of 2021 was a busy one for these Chi Omega sorority sisters. After the pandemic forced two of them to postpone their weddings in 2020, the four realized they would all get married within a month and got to help each other plan these special ceremonies.

After 70 years of marriage, Shirley Stearns Byrne ’49 still has the notes Jack ’48 wrote to her when they were dating. Communication is key to a successful relationship, she says. Jack agrees. Wise husband.

After meeting during a recruiting trip, Kylie McChesney '15 and Amber Logemann '16 developed a close friendship. Little did they know, seven years later they would become a Miami Merger.

Darcy Koshoffer Ryan ’92 and Michael Ryan ’92 will celebrate 27 years as a Miami Merger after meeting on a date that was supposed to be for their friends.

They’ve made beautiful music together for more than 40 years. But, Lee ’68 and Rosemary Holoviak Fisher ’69 didn’t exactly start off on the same note.

A mini basketball represents the countless memories that Sara Perkins Sheffer '15 and Nathan Sheffer '15 MGS '17 built en route to becoming a Miami Merger in 2019. 

Making it to Upham Arch to meet their Miami Merger destiny took more than one try for Sarah ’07 and Kristen Kirkwood ’05.

Alumni association mails valentine to merger couples each year

A Miami Merger formed at MUDEC

Wrices were first couple married in Armstrong Student Center’s Wilks Theater

Wardens name meeting room in honor of Miami Mergers

Did you marry another Miami alum recently? Let us know you’re a Miami Merger and you could be featured on our award-winning site Be Mine Miami!

Miami Merger for Sarah Mueller-Downs ’14 and Eric Downs ’15 began at heart of one of university’s most endearing legends

Brett ’09 and Allison Begezda Smith ’09 celebrated their nuptials in true Miami Merger fashion.

What are the odds that those four people are actually two Miami Mergers? That coincidence was something special.

How Scott ’11 and Lauren Doust Swaidner ’13 learned their heritage – and found love – through the myaamia language

As it turns out, books are not the only things being “studied” in the library.

When Lyndsey Ruhe McMillan ’07 introduced two of her closest friends, she had no idea she would one day be marrying them.

There are times in love and life when chance encounters become more than simple coincidences.

The Upham Arch holds a special place in many Miami Mergers’ hearts—but not all...

Cincinnati Miami Mergers united together on February 14, 2015 for a party to celebrate Valentine’s day at Stir, located in Olde Montgomery.

Until the fall of 1999, nearly 1,000 miles separated Jeff M.S. ’00, Ed.S. ’02 and Gloria Oliver Carpenter M.A. ’02, Ph.D. ’05.

Florida couple ranks among Miami’s “most experienced” Mergers

A first impression, when done right, can leave a powerful and enduring impact.

Miami University gathered more than 1,000 couples for event
Guinness World Records announced today that Miami University officially broke the world record for the most couples renewing their wedding vows. The event took place during Alumni Weekend on June 20, 2009.