Reading the stories from alumni on Big Red Love made me really want to share my own Cornell love story. I find it hard to date at Cornell for a few reasons. First, everyone is from all parts of the United States and from around the world so what happens to your Big Red Love when one or both of you graduate? Second, we barely have time to take care of ourselves here much less maintain a healthy relationship. And third, a lot of the time when males get to Cornell they want to explore all of their options and put significant importance on partying and meeting girls, which of course does not equal boyfriend material. It was touching to see in the love stories posted by alumni that the experiences ranged from meeting freshmen year and becoming inseparable since to not even meeting until after graduation!

I may not be a Cornell alumna yet, but I did find love at Cornell. My freshman year I met a senior who I now know as my closest friend and possibly the love of my life, but at the time he was just my friend’s roommate who was barely around because of practice. I saw him a few times but did not think much of it. I had a “friend” at the time who was even trying to date him (as you can see I am using the term friend very loosely). Then one night at a crowded party at his apartment we got wedged together while trying to navigate across the room, and since we were face-to-face we were forced to make awkward conversation. The interaction only lasted for about 30 seconds, but this fleeting moment was the moment I hope to be telling my grandchildren about one day. When the party was shut down by the cops (thanks a lot) and I was walking out of the door he asked for my number and ever since then I have enjoyed every day getting to know him more and more. Now we know each other so well it is hard to imagine how it was in the beginning. He has influenced change in so many parts of me for the better since he has come into my life. He is the first male around my age that I have ever seen as a man rather than just a “guy”. It is hard to write about such private feelings and I will not disclose much of them, but I just want to thank Cornell for allowing me to meet a person so kind, so strong, and who I share a deep connection with.

When graduation came near for him I felt like my heart was being ripped out slowly. Believe me, this is not an exaggeration. This is the downside to finding love at Cornell. I live in the north and he lives in the south. He is back home and I am still here at Cornell. Long distance relationships never work…right? It has been 3 years since he left and I miss him more and more every day. My feelings have not lessened with distance or with time. If it is meant to be then it will happen, but that does not make it any easier. You cannot help falling in love so I definitely do not discourage you in doing so. It is the most wonderful part of being human. But it can also be the most painful part. I hope for a happy ending to my Big Red Love story, and I wish the same for you!

Read Cornell Big Red Love Stories Here: http://www.alumni.cornell.edu/remember/valentines/