In response to a recent call for submissions, alumni couples reflected on how their relationships began during their time on campus. From first conversations at campus events to bonds formed through shared interests and late nights of studying, each story captures how Flagler helped shape connections that continue to endure.
Carie (Levy) and Zach Moore | Class of 2018
Carie and Zach Moore met during their freshman year at Flagler College after choosing the same major and minor, spending their early college years circling one another through shared classes, quiet crushes, and missed chances. Both were shy, and it took time, encouragement from friends, and a study abroad experience to bring their story into focus.
That turning point came during a Flagler study abroad trip to Dresden, Germany, led by Dr. Tim Johnson in the summer of 2017. As the group traveled through Europe, their connection deepened with every shared train ride and late-night conversation.
“My heart would flutter and my stomach would be in knots, hoping that I would be able to get the seat next to him,” Carie said. “I always did.”
After extending their travels to Italy, the two found themselves wandering Rome together, getting lost, exploring new corners of the city, and searching for a sunrise view that never quite appeared. Instead, they stumbled into a quiet garden, where they officially decided to be a couple.
Later that same day, the pair unexpectedly found themselves inn Vatican City standing just feet away as Pope Francis passed by, a moment they joked felt like a blessing on their new relationship.
“Someone began roping off an area right after we got there and happened to draw the rope right in front of us. We weren’t sure exactly what was going on, until Pope Francis passed by right in front of us, doing the sign of the cross as he went. We were in shock at what had just happened and joked that the Pope had personally blessed our new relationship,” said Carie.
When they returned to Flagler, they were inseparable. Zach proposed in front of the Christmas tree in downtown St. Augustine near the end of their time as students. Five months later they graduated, and six months after that, they were married, surrounded by many of the same friends who had witnessed their story unfold abroad.
Today, Carie and Zach are parents to two daughters and often revisit the story that began at Flagler and became official in Rome.
“Mommy, tell us the story of when you and Daddy fell in love,” their children often say.
Lulu (Valdes) and Dave Benedict | Class of 1985 & '86
Lulu and Dave Benedict’s story began in 1983, just after the Luau Dance, with a simple request for change at a vending machine in the rotunda. A short time later, Lulu’s resident assistant approached her with a message: Dave, known around campus as “Eggs” (inspired by his last name Benedict), wanted to ask her out.
A few days later, right on the steps in front of the dining hall, Dave did just that. He later shared that he had been keeping an eye out for Lulu ever since their initial meeting at the Luau Dance.
Their first date was sweet and memorable. Dave, a member of the Flagler baseball team, borrowed a friend’s beat-up sports car, complete with a missing floorboard, and the two went to see Risky Business, played miniature golf by the waterfront, and ended the night at a baseball party.
Many of their favorite memories were the simple ones: eating together in the dining hall, meeting by the Flagler mailboxes, and long walks along the downtown waterfront. Dave often left cards and flowers in Lulu’s mailbox, one they later purchased and now display in their home. One spot along the waterfront even earned a nickname.
“We affectionately named a post along the waterfront as the kissing post,” Lulu said.
Baseball remained a central part of their lives long after Flagler. Dave played around the world in men’s senior leagues and later coached their sons from t-ball through college. After graduating, the couple married in Connecticut and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where they both spent more than 30 years working in state and county government.
Now retired, Lulu and Dave have two sons, a daughter, and three grandsons. They still return often to St. Augustine, where they own a vacation condo on St. Augustine Beach. This May, they will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
“We have had such a wonderful life filled with so many amazing memories,” Lulu said.
Kiara (Sanchez) & Daniel Diaz | Class of 2015
Kiara and Daniel Sanchez met during their first few weeks at Flagler College in the dining hall, where a shared table and a growing friend group sparked what would become a lasting connection.
“I saw him laughing with someone in the french fry line and thought he was so cute,” Kiara said. “Then he came to sit at the same table as me and we started hanging out in the same friend group from then on.”
That group of freshmen, all from different parts of the country, stayed together throughout their four years at Flagler. The girls became roommates, the guys became roommates, and Kiara and Daniel found themselves constantly crossing paths. Kiara even found creative ways to spend more time together.
“I would pretend I wanted to learn how to play Call of Duty so when he played in the student center with his friends I could join,” she said.
From late-night study sessions at “Club Proctor” to ordering Five Star Pizza or walking to South-A-Philly, much of their Flagler experience was shared as a group. Even without sharing classes, the close-knit campus made it easy to stay connected.
“We didn’t start dating until our senior year,” Kiara said.
When they finally did, keeping it a secret proved nearly impossible.
“Our friends saw us at dinner and started cheering,” Kiara said. “Everyone claimed, ‘It was about time!’”
The couple married in St. Augustine in 2020, surrounded by the same friends who had been part of their story from the beginning. Now living in Jacksonville with their three-year-old son, Mateo, they still look back fondly on their Flagler days.
“Flagler was such a huge part of our story,” Kiara said. “We wouldn’t change a thing.”
Emma (Parmar) and Drew Murfin | Class of 2005
Emma and Drew Murfin’s story began in Statistics class, where Drew happened to sit right behind Emma. With encouragement from their professor, Dr. Carrie Grant, the two began studying together, quickly realizing they had more in common than just homework.
“By studying together, we got to know each other more and realized we were pretty aligned on our values and future life goals,” Emma said.
Outside the classroom, their relationship grew through shared routines and campus life. Both worked at the Flagler College Bookstore and made it a habit to meet up at least once a day.
“We would always meet once a day between classes in front of Kenan Hall, and we always looked forward to that,” Emma said.
As their friend groups merged, Flagler became the backdrop for many of their favorite memories.
“Through working together at the bookstore, and merging our friend groups, we had the best time at Flagler,” Emma said. “Spending many evenings at The British Pub (now just The Pub) and Allstars with friends and hanging out on campus.”
Now married for 19 years, Emma and Drew live in St. Augustine Beach with their two children. They remain closely connected to Flagler and the local alumni community.
“We try to stay as involved as we can with Flagler College,” Emma said. “There is a huge network of Flagler grads in St. Augustine, and it is so great to connect with fellow alumni and share stories of our college experiences.”
They still occasionally run into familiar faces from their Flagler days.
“We also still get to bump into Professor Grant in town every once in a while, which always brings a smile to our faces,” Emma said.
Donna (Zanni) and Brian Washburn | Class of 1982
Donna and Brian Washburn’s love story began on their very first day at Flagler College during a swimming test that used to be required for all freshman to complete.
Students lined up alphabetically, placing Donna Zanni and Brian Washburn near each other. When Brian mentioned he thought his roommate might be last in line, Donna chimed in to let him know she was actually the “Z.”
The two soon became good friends, and Brian would often ask Donna for relationship advice.
“He asked me a few times, ‘Who should I ask out on a date?’” she said. “I was always too shy to say, Me!”
That changed in the spring, when Brian asked Donna to the spring formal.
“We’ve been together ever since, 47 years,” Donna said.
During their time at Flagler from 1978 to 1982, the couple was deeply involved in campus life. Brian played baseball and performed in a band, while Donna served as president of the Circle K Club. They also shared memorable moments, including staying up all night eating pizza in the rotunda during Hurricane David while Brian played guitar.
Today, Flagler remains a constant in their lives. Brian currently serves as an assistant coach for the Flagler College men’s tennis team, while Donna worked for Flagler College in multiple administrative roles for 14 years. Together, the couple continues to stay closely connected to the campus that first brought them together.
“Flagler has been a part of our lives since we were 18 years old,” Donna said. “It all went by in a flash, but Flagler has always been the constant.”
Shylowe Sortman and Florian Langer | Class of 2023
Shylowe Sortman’s love story with Florian Langer began with a random roommate assignment during her sophomore year at Flagler College. Her roommate was a German exchange student who introduced her to a close-knit group of international students, including Florian.
About halfway through the semester, the group took a road trip to Alabama for a lantern festival. Fourteen Flagler students stayed together, and Shylowe and Florian were paired up to build a fire for s’mores.
“Sparks literally flew,” Shylowe said. Later that night, the two went kayaking on a foggy lake at midnight and talked about poetry.
“It was almost like a movie scene,” she said.
After returning to campus, their first official date became a study session in a two-person hammock, followed by a walk to the fort.
Florian was only at Flagler for one exchange semester, and with Christmas approaching, the couple had to decide what came next. Two weeks before his flight, they made a spontaneous decision to travel to Peru together.
“It was the best Christmas EVER,” Shylowe said.
They committed to long distance after returning, supported by late-night phone calls, letters, and packages.
Flagler continued to shape their story when Shylowe later studied in Germany through the same exchange program Florian had completed, allowing them to spend more time together.
Today, Florian is a ski instructor in Austria, and Shylowe is an English teacher in Lakeland, Florida. As they prepare for their next chapter, Shylowe plans to move to Europe permanently in the near future.
Jennifer (Leggett) and Jerry Goodrich | Class of 1999
Jennifer and Jerry Goodrich’s story began on a Flagler College trip to Disney, where Jennifer was traveling with the cheerleaders and Jerry with the baseball team. As the two groups blended for the day, Jennifer kept finding herself seated next to Jerry on ride after ride.
“I kept getting seated with him on rides,” Jennifer said. “Then I ended up sitting next to him on the bus ride home and talked his ear off for over two hours!”
A few dates followed, and before long, they were officially dating. Jerry then proposed on May 17, 1997.
Many of their favorite memories from Flagler center around beach days, sports, and the friendships formed through their teams. At one point, they even lived in neighboring beach communities.
“We would hop the wall to go back and forth,” Jennifer said. “It was so sweet and innocent.”
Flagler and St. Augustine have remained a constant throughout their lives. The couple has attended nearly every alumni weekend since graduating in 1999, even during years when they lived more than 900 miles away. In 2015, they moved back to St. Johns County and have loved being close to campus ever since.
Now living in St. Johns, the couple opened a St. Augustine location of Peace, Love and Little Donuts in November 2022. They employ many Flagler students, work closely with the Hospitality and Tourism Department, and provide donuts for Flagler College events, continuing to give back to the community that brought them together.
