Christopher and Melissa Weaver

Melissa (Lux) Weaver (C'09) has always had a passion for helping others and wanted to become a nurse. As a Dubuque native, Melissa always knew about UD, and it only took one campus visit and a very engaging conversation with Dr. Dolter to know that this was her college home. She began her college journey at UD in fall 2005. Although her studies kept her busy, she also enjoyed being active on campus and was involved with several student organizations, including Student Nurses Association, Spartan Spirit Team, Campus Ministry, University Program Council, and the Wendt Character Initiative.

Christopher "Chris" Weaver (C'10) also began his college journey in fall 2005; however, his journey to UD looked a bit different. Coming from a military family, Chris considers California home, but he was living in Germany when UD recruiter Bob Broshous visited his high school. Convinced UD was the school for him, he applied without visiting campus. Just months later, he was a UD student, majoring in criminal justice and sociology. He was active with the Student Ambassador Association, gave tours to prospective students, and was a member of Phi Beta Sigma. With his family military background, Chris knew that he too wanted to serve following graduation, so he was involved with the Army ROTC program.

Although both were active on campus, their paths had not crossed much until summer 2008. That summer, their UD classmates Thoni Oriental (C'07) and Kate Liebetrau (C'09) formally introduced them. Since Melissa was from Dubuque, she spent her summers at home, while Chris and many of their friends also stayed in town during that summer break. It was during that summer, surrounded by friends and free from the pressures of school, that they began to truly get to know one another.

By the time the fall semester rolled around, both were entering their fourth year at UD and focused on graduation. Though their friendship had grown during the summer, their bond deepened in an unexpected way that fall. Unfortunately, Chris was in a serious car accident, delaying his schooling while he focused on recovery. Through his recovery, Melissa was by his side. Still, despite their strong connection, their relationship remained a friendship for the rest of their time at UD.

After graduation, life took them in separate directions. Melissa stayed in Dubuque and began working at Mercy Hospital. Chris relocated to Virginia for a military assignment from May through November 2010. He then returned to Dubuque, where he began working at Hillcrest Family Services as a youth care worker. He continued his service by enlisting in the National Guard and Army for 10 years.

Despite the distance and time apart, the connection they had built at UD never truly faded and fate brought them back together. After being in Dubuque for a few months, Chris reached out to Melissa to reconnect. The two began dating in 2011 and started creating their life together.

The couple dated for one year before getting engaged in 2012. In true Chris fashion, always planning but never missing an opportunity for spontaneity, his proposal was an unexpected yet heartfelt surprise. One evening at their home in Dubuque, Chris was hosting a meet-and-greet for both new and alumni fraternity brothers. That night, Melissa was enjoying a rare, quiet night off from work. In the midst of the event, Chris stepped into the room where she was relaxing, reassuring her that the gathering wouldn't last too long. Then, out of nowhere, he got down on one knee and proposed. No elaborate setup, no rehearsed speech - just a genuine, spur-of-the-moment question that changed both of their lives forever.

On a beautiful, sunny day in November 2013, Melissa and Chris exchanged vows at Hadley Chapel on the Hillcrest Family Services campus. Their reception at the Peosta Community Center was filled with laughter, love, and familiar faces from their UD days. Their wedding party included family and friends, many of whom attended UD: Katie Lux (C'12), Ashley (Willyard) Gutierrez (C'09), Joshua Weaver (Ex'14), Devin Glasper (C'12), Antonio Mouzon (C'11, MAC'19), Antonio Santos (C'14), and Matt Lux (C'05, MBA'10). The room was filled with friends from near and far, many of whom they had met at UD and remained an important part of their lives.

Since reconnecting in 2011, life has been an incredible adventure. Chris and Melissa are busy raising their growing family. Their children, Schatzi (12), Elijah (9), Ziya (1), and a baby due in April 2025, keep them very busy. They also share their home with three energetic dogs, Cali, Buddy, and Rocsi. Melissa has been at Mercy Hospital for the past 15 years and Chris now works at Northeast Iowa Community College as a career coach. Additionally, Chris recently opened Posh Lounge in Dubuque, a project that keeps him busy but has been a goal for many years. Meanwhile, their children's academic, sporting, and musical activities keep the whole family constantly on the move. When they can find the time, they love traveling to California to visit Chris' family and enjoy taking summer camping trips to Devil's Lake in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where they embrace the full outdoor experience - tents and all.

While anniversary celebrations are often low-key, one tradition has remained special throughout the years. Every homecoming, they reunite with the friends they met through Phi Beta Sigma at UD. More than 15 years since graduation, they cherish the opportunity to watch their families grow together, reliving the bonds that started all those years ago.

"It's hard to believe that the summer we met was 17 years ago," Melissa said. "Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday, and sometimes it feels like we've already spent a lifetime together."