Roses are red, violets are blue. No unexpected ‘{‘ between me and you.
Love is in the air, or in the code, in the Computer Science department. We wanted to highlight a few of the growing number of Boise State CS student couples who found connection during their academic endeavors.
Fitri and Kepa
Like many “near miss” romantic comedies, Fitri and Kepa’s relationship took a winding path before eventually connecting in the best of ways. Though they first met in Dr. Buffenbarger’s Programming Languages course, they spent years accidentally “trading” availability. One would be single while the other was dating someone else. It wasn’t until a period of time after graduation, when they both landed software engineering roles at the same Boise company, that the timing finally aligned. The desk-mates eventually tied the knot on 2/22/22 at 22:22 ( 10:22pm)!
Reflecting on their time at Boise State, both cherish the community they built. Kepa spent his time tutoring alongside his best friend, where they’d engage in friendly competitions to see whose explanations helped students the most. Meanwhile, Fitri built lasting bonds through the ACM-W student club. Those relationships continue as they enjoy working with many of their CS friends, doing game nights, and attending each other’s baby showers or kids’ birthday parties.
Their love/professional advice for current students? Don’t be a stranger. Say hello and connect with your peers on those long shuttle rides to/from main campus or in the CCP building. Computer scientist friends are a lot of fun to be around, long after graduation!
Special shoutout to another Boise State CS alum Ashley G. While volunteering at BroncoDay 2016, she inspired Fitri to consider computer science instead of a path to pharmacy tech, setting the stage for this wonderful story and their careers at the same company today.
Piper and Brad
Piper and Brad’s story began on day one of CS 221 at CWI, where Piper took the lead and made the first move. The two quickly bonded over a shared love for cinema and frequently went to the movies. Their favorite milestone so far has been establishing a home together, marking the move into their first apartment with their cat as their most cherished memory.
Now, they offer this advice to current students: never dim your light. Though Piper once worried she might be “too much” for someone, she found that being herself was exactly what Brad fell for. While they aren’t married just yet, it’s a chapter they look forward to in the future.
Kelsey and Thomas
Kelsey and Thomas’s journey began in the summer of 2012, sparked by a chance encounter in the old MetaGeek lab while both were enrolled in Intro to CS. Though neither was looking for a relationship, they built a foundation through service, volunteering together for Hour of Code and the Engineering and Science Festival. Kelsey remains dedicated to this mission today, volunteering with Women Innovators’ TechGirlz and SheTech programs.
The couple officially tied the knot in a small courthouse ceremony in the spring of 2024. Professionally, Thomas works as a Data Engineer for WebMD Ignite, while Kelsey serves as a Software Engineer for Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson. When they aren’t coding, they can be found playing soccer or catching live music.
Their best advice for students? Dive deep into your own interests and passions—you never know who you might meet while doing what you love.
