Finding Love in Love Library

Hundreds of books filled with classic love stories grace the shelves of the San Diego State University Love Library. But even the story of Romeo and Juliet might find it hard to compete with some of the real life love stories that have taken place there.

Its name aside, there isn’t much about the Love Library that screams romance. But for two couples it was where their relationships began.

More than a project

David Graham and Brittany Richardson are both juniors at SDSU studying business. Their story begins freshman year when David was struggling to finish a project the night before it was due.

“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and I only knew one person who was also in the class and might be able to help me,” David said.

Brittany and David knew each other from living in the Tenochca residence hall and had become friends during their first semester. Brittany was at the Aztec basketball game that night and David knew she had been looking forward to it all week, but he was so lost on his project that he decided to try and call her for help.

“She answered right away and left the game before the first half was even over to come meet me in the library,” David said.

It was that night David realized he wanted to be with Brittany.

From then on the pair talked every day and quickly became best friends. A few months later David mustered up the courage to ask Brittany on a date. She was hesitant at first because she didn’t want to ruin their friendship, but she finally agreed.

“Since then we have had the best memories anyone could ever wish for together,” David said. “I will always be grateful that she said “yes” to that date and that she came to the library that night to help me with the project I couldn’t do alone.”

Love at first sign

Dion Akers, assistant director for alumni affinity groups and volunteerism at SDSU, knew right away that the girl he sat next to in class would become the love of his life.

In the spring of 2006, Dion crashed an American Sign Language class and by a stroke of good luck was the only one added to the course. He was a junior and Alixandra Grafft was a freshman.

The couple disagrees to this day about who originally pursued the other. Maybe it was Dion who arrived early to get the seat next to Alix or perhaps Alix’s harmless flirting did the trick. But the real magic started to happen when the class had to pick partners for a group project.

“I want to believe the story the way I tell it,” Dion said. “She couldn’t resist connecting with me and positioned herself to partner up with me. However, the truth is probably closer to Alix’s version: when we found out about the project, I immediately turned to her and told her we were going to be partners.”

After a couple of weeks of library study dates, a successful project and an actual first date, Dion and Alix knew they had something special.

Since that first semester the pair has been inseparable. They were married in July 2012, have a 6-year-old Chihuahua and are excited about their future and lives together.

“We love the story that SDSU gave us,” Dion said.