It's a Love Story... and it started at Pembroke

They say you leave Oxford with a First, a Spouse or a Blue. We can't attest to how many of these the couples below achieved, but we can tell you how they managed the second one - with a story that started at Pembroke. 

Samuel Wills (2008) and Daniela Massiceti (2014)

For Samuel Wills and Daniela Massiceti, the R in MCR stood for romance… Meeting in the MCR in the summer of 2016 just before Sam was due to take up a permanent academic posting in Sydney was perhaps not the most ideal timing for this couple, yet one year of long distance (UK-Australia), three years of medium distance (Oxford-London) and two years living in a “tiny London flat” later, Sam and Daniela finally married in Oxford in 2022.

Given it was the place that had brought them together, and somewhere they both had "wonderful memories" (having both been MCR President at different stages during their time here!), they stopped by Pembroke after the ceremony. “The cherry on top was that that afternoon, a gentleman was coincidentally there to survey Pembroke's roofs with a drone, so we ended up getting some some amazing aerial footage of us in the Old and Chapel Quads!” Daniela shared. The couple now live in Sydney, and keep in touch with several other Pembrokians in the area via the meetups Sam organises as a Pembroke Alumni Ambassador.

Hannah Shipway (1982) and Michael Jervis (1980)

Hannah Shipway (1982) and Michael Jervis (1980) fell in love at Pembroke in Michaelmas of 1982, and married in 2013 – but the years in between were not as straightforward as they might seem. “We stupidly split up before we left Oxford,” Hannah shared. Yet apparently the universe had other ideas for Hannah and Michael, as they met again in 2007, after nearly twenty-five years apart. Sadly, Michael died in January of 2023. “He was the love of my life,” Hannah told us. “Pembroke meant so much to us both.”

Anna Hauperich (2012) and Guy Niblett (2012)

Anna Hauperich and her husband Guy Niblett met at Pembroke in 2012 and married in 2013. College married, that is. But apparently a college wedding was not enough, as they eventually got together and were married (the legal kind this time) by College Chaplain Andrew Teal in 2017. Pembroke remains important to the couple, as Guy now teaches clincial medical students at the College, and Anna only graduated in 2023 (after doing “too many degrees,” she jokes), having also been a Junior Dean for two years of her time here. “Pembroke played a crucial role in our love story!” Anna added.

Judith Holden (nee Clover; 1992) and Rob Holden (Worcester, 1992)

In 1992, Rob Holden applied to Pembroke to read Geography but was offered a place at Worcester College instead. He wanted to find out who had been given ‘his’ place – it turned out to be Judith Clover. By chance, the two sat together in a 9am lecture on hydrology, and bonded over a packet of Maryland cookies. The cookies must have been good, because they ended up going on a date to Pembroke’s 1993 May Day Ball (not too shabby for a first date, if you ask us!). Rob proposed to Judith in Pembroke in December 1996, and they married in Worcester College just over twenty-five years ago.

Aruna Karunathilake (1994) and Claire Karunathilake (nee Smith; 1994)

Aruna Karunathilake and Claire Smith met in Pembroke in 1994, but it took until their fourth year, when Aruna was doing his MChem and Claire had returned from her year abroad in Japan, for the pair to become more than just mutual friends. Gradually growing closer over that year, they got together in 1998 and eventually married in College in 2008. It seems Pembroke played a significant role in both their meeting and their wedding, as Pembrokians were present as the Best Man, among the ushers and bridesmaids as well as guests celebrating the day with Aruna and Claire. “We remain very close to many of the friends we made during our time at Pembroke,” Claire told us, “holidaying together, being godparents and extended family to each other’s children and catching up whenever we can.”

“Who knows, maybe we should plan for a vow renewal at Pembroke sometime too!” she added.

Liz Heron (nee Tompkins; 1990) and Dale Heron (1989)

The love story of Liz Tompkins (1990) and Dale Heron (1989) wouldn’t seem out of place in a Christmas film. Liz and Dale had been friends for a while, and everyone around them had been trying to encourage them together. But it took until the College Christmas dinner in 1991 for the pair to take their friends’ advice. “Unfortunately half the college had left coats and bags in my room on Staircase 11 for the festivities and we were constantly interrupted by people trying to reclaim their possessions!” Liz joked. Marrying in 1995, Liz and Dale had a “very Pembrokian wedding” – albeit not one in College itself – with bridesmaids, the Best Man, and ushers all hailing from Pembroke.

Tina Shah (2019) and Juan Camilo Chipatecua Hoyos (Kellogg College, 2019)

Though this story technically starts at the Saïd Business School, it does culminate at Pembroke, as Tina (2019) and her husband Juan, who met while studying for their MBA, dropped by Tina's former College to take photos after their 2023 Town Hall wedding. “The Pembroke porters were so sweet and let us take photos in College, and even gifted us a bottle of Pembroke Pink!” Tina shared. And look at the result of those photos – definitely worth the trip across St. Aldates, we think!

Did you meet your partner at Pembroke? Get in touch at communications@pmb.ox.ac.uk!