For many members of Marching Mizzou, band wasn't just about music and marching—it was where they met their best friends and lifelong partners.
This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the heartwarming love stories that blossomed in Marching Mizzou over the years. We asked our alumni to share their stories if they met their significant other in the band, and we were thrilled by the results and photos shared. Check it out below!
Marching Mizzou Love Stories
"Chris and I technically met in Eva J’s cafeteria in Johnston Hall when a fellow M2 and high school friend, Jason Spellerberg, introduced us on my first day of college in 1993. Jason lived near Chris in Wolpers Hall. Chris then joined M2 the following year as a junior. We each marched for two years but only overlapped for one. We started dating in late October 1993, married in July 1997 and have been married for 27 years. We have raised 3 amazing young adults, Meredith, Whitney, and Adam, and have lived in Columbia for 27 of the past 32 years. In recent years, we have been band parents alongside other M2 alumni and enjoyed sharing past memories and creating new ones. The band family is extra special." - Christi (Boone) Farmer (Clarinet, 1993-1994) and Chris Farmer (Trumpet, 1994-1995)
"Sky and I met during my freshman year of Marching Mizzou, and we just clicked immediately as friends and then eventually partners. Sky was one of my biggest mentors when he was a section leader and then my biggest supporter when I became a section leader myself. Marching Mizzou holds a very special place in our hearts for bringing us together 🖤💛." - Elaine Graham (Trombone 2019-2022) and Sky Winholtz (Trombone, 2017-2020)
"Larry was one of the bus drivers for the M2 road trip to an away football game at Iowa State in 1981 when I first met him as an M2 band kid. He later drove the bus on our bowl game trip to the Tangerine Bowl 1981, and I was on his bus again. We hung out a bit at some of the non-game activities in Orlando. We started dating in January 1982, and never looked back! Its been 41 years now." - Heather McFarland Henderson (Trombone, 1981-1983) and Larry Henderson, M2 bus driver (1981).
"Nick & I met early into freshman year through rushing Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. We had our first date (and many other after) at Pizza Tree and the rest is history. We’ve now been married for 2 years and are lucky to have met through the power of M2 and the band Greeks. Our easy date night recommendation? Get some food, ice cream, and end with a walk to the columns. Some of our best memories come from the M2 days!" - Chrissy (Gruber) Blue (Piccolo, 2015-2017) and Nick Blue (Sousaphone, 2015-2017)
"We met in the fall of 1994, but didn’t start dating until we saw each other again after we had both graduated at a Mizzou-Nebraska football game in the fall of 1999." - Elaine Mooney (Color Guard, 1994-1995) and John Mooney (Sousaphone and Drum Major, 1992-1996)
"We met when I pledged KKPsi in the fall of 2011. Joe was the membership educator and I came to the first recruiting event for the free pizza (thanks Jacob Green!). We’d both sworn off dating altogether. After I had officially been initiated into the fraternity, Joe and I started dating in December 2011. We were married on December 11, 2021, and now live in St. Louis." - Kelsey (Kelly) Trammel (Trombone, 2011-2014) and Joe Trammel (Sousaphone, 2010-2012, 2015)
Joe Trammel (Sousaphone, 2010-2012, 2015) and Kelsey (Kelly) Trammel (Trombone, 2011-2014)
"I was teaching the waltz step to a block of new marchers on the first day of band camp when Emily caught my eye. Fast forward to New Year's Eve 2003 in Shreveport, Louisiana and we shared our first kiss after performing at the Independence Bowl. 21 years and 3 kids later, we're still making music together!" - Matthew Wall (Drum Major, 2002-2005) and Emily (Rice) Wall, (Piccolo, 2003 - 2005)
"Tim and I met in Marching Mizzou in 2014. We began dating in the fall of 2016. He proposed to me during pre-game at Homecoming in October 2018 while I was performing with Alumni Band, and he was a drum major. We got married in October 2019 and had our son, Liam, in August 2024. Marching Mizzou has been a huge influence in our lives, and we're so grateful for this organization for bringing us together." - Brianne (Wright) O'Sullivan (Trumpet 2014-2017) and Tim O'Sullivan (Sousaphone and Drum Major, 2013-2014, 2017-2018)
"A woodwind player and a brass player managed to somehow meet in M2! Our first big trip together was the 2012 St. Patrick's trip to Ireland with our bandmates. Music is still a big part of our relationship even today." - Alex Dzurick (Clarinet, 2008-2012) and James Kelly (Trombone, 2010-2012)
"Mark and I met in Marching Mizzou in 1972, married in 1979 and still have lifelong band friends. We are so grateful to have known Dr. Alexander Pickard. Life has blessed us to still be in love on this Valentine’s Day 50+ years later due to Marching Mizzou." - Mark Zobrist and Ellen (Hebbeler) Zobrist
"We met at a Marching Mizzou Christmas party." - Catherine Spirk (Alto Sax, 2010-2012) and Adam Spirk (Tenor Sax, 2011-2014)
"Brian and I met on 10/28/1991 while riding a band bus to Arrowhead Stadium to perform at a Chiefs game. We ended up sitting together and started talking. The Chiefs beat the Raiders that night, so I (born into Chiefs Kindom) was happy but tired and Brian offered his shoulder for me to rest on. He was such a gentleman that night, so I wanted to get to know him more. He was mutually interested in spending time with me. We supported each other through college and his graduate school. We have 4 beautiful and talented daughters. Our oldest daughter is currently in M2, and our second oldest daughter is in the University Band and will be auditioning for M2 soon. Our younger two daughters are in a high school band. Brian and I are band booster members for the high school as well. Fine Arts and M2 will always be in our hearts. We celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary this past December and pray that we will be able to spend many more years together with our girls." - Sheila (Reece) Ganley (Drumline - Snare, 1990-1992) and Dr. Brian Ganley (Trombone, 1991-1992)
Additional M2 Love Stories:
Julie and Steve Baur met in Marching Mizzou approximately 1978-1982. ❤️
Did you meet your significant other in Marching Mizzou? Share your photo and story with us to be included in this blog post and our future social media. Fill out the form here or email us at M2AlumniBand@gmail.com.
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