Molly and Tony Cinnamon: A Marching Illini fairy tale

In 1990, Molly and Tony Cinnamon met for the first time at a Marching Illini rehearsal. More than a year later, their friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship that is still alive today — and it all started when they met over band-sponsored pizza in the Harding Band Building.

“We had a guest conductor coming in to work with our group, and we started chatting over a pizza in the band room,” Molly said. “And so we became friends first, and we were friends for a long time, which was great.”

While that moment started their relationship as friends, it didn’t exactly kickstart their romantic relationship. Tony had a girlfriend back home, and Molly had her eyes on another bandmate.

“I was actually really crushing on someone else in the drumline,” Molly said. “I had my eyes kind of somewhere else, but I sure loved meeting him.”

The two remained friends for over a year, but while they were still friends — and after breaking up with his hometown girlfriend — Tony did not hold back from expressing his feelings to his future wife.

“His classic line was: ‘When you stop chasing Ian, give me a call,’” Molly said.

After finally understanding where Tony’s interest was, Molly found herself on a first date with him to see “Wayne’s World.” From that moment on, the pair navigated their relationship through postgrad to, eventually, their marriage.

“We were long distance, I guess you can say, as Molly was up here in Chicago, and I was still in Champaign,” Tony said. “She was driving down to Champaign a lot. I was coming up to visit her.”

Despite the long drives and their limited moments together postgrad, the Cinnamons powered through because they knew they belonged together.

“I think we both knew that this was something that was going to last and something worth working for,” Tony said.

The couple tied the knot in 1996 after four years of dating and have been together ever since. Their relationship is not only powered by the love that they have for each other but also by the friendship that built the foundation of their relationship.

“If your life implodes, you’re with your best friend,” Molly said. “If your life is joyful and you’re celebrating a victory or an accomplishment, you’re with your best friend.”

Rita and Gary Carlson: Stumbling upon romance in college

Coming to the University, Rita Carlson had one thing on her mind: her career. It never crossed her mind that while she was getting her education, she would find her future husband.

“I never expected to find my husband, absolutely not,” Rita said. “We did not go to school for that.”

The Carlsons met in their genetics class, a requirement for both of their majors. Carlson described it as “not the most exciting class in the world.”

The two got to know each other through mutual connections in their classes and study group. They soon realized their many similarities, which drew them closer to each other.

“We just had a common work ethic, and we came from similar backgrounds — farming backgrounds,” Rita said. “We just wanted to be friends.”

Their friendship ended up being the foundation for their future marriage.

“In being friends and getting to know each other, you get to know their families and common interests,” Rita said. “I learned things from him that I didn’t know growing up, and he learned things from me.”

The two stayed friends throughout college and shared many memories as they finished their degrees side by side. It wasn’t until after college that they turned their friendship into something more.

“After college, we stayed in touch, and we were like, ‘Huh, well, this could be kind of fun,’” Rita said. “You just kind of figure things out.”

And that they did. The Carlsons have been married for nearly 20 years and have a son together.

“You may find some stories where people are over the moon, and they knew the very first moment, but you know, it was good to be friends before you went all in,” Rita said.

Aubrie and Kris Williams: The most ‘college’ love story ever

Aubrie and Kris Williams were living at ISR when they first crossed paths at a hall area council meeting, an organization they were a part of.

When they first met, Aubrie was not interested in Kris — not yet, anyway — nor was she available.

“I may have been dating someone else at the time,” Aubrie said.

As for Kris, he had an admirer who was in a triple room with Aubrie.

“(My roommate) worked at the front desk at ISR, and so he kind of became part of a friend group,” Aubrie said. “And then when we realized we were interested in each other, my roommates weren’t really happy with that.”

Despite things not exactly working out with her roommates, things did work out between Aubrie and Kris. After their first date to The Other Guys’ Christmas concert at Lincoln Hall and a two-man game of tag, the pair were inseparable.

“Our first kiss was on the roof of Krannert (Center for the Performing Arts),” Aubrie said. “We just happened to be going for a walk, and we were walking across the roof of Krannert, which is kind of an odd thing to do.”

Aubrie and Kris were no strangers to tradition. During her time in the Marching Illini, Aubrie would sing “Hey! Baby” to Kris across the basketball court.

“Now, when we hear the song, it’s one of our songs,” Aubrie said.

The Williamses also engaged in another classic Illinois tradition that is said to manifest long-lasting love for all alumni couples.

“We did have a kiss under the Eternal Flame at one point,” Aubrie said. “That means you’re going to get married.”

The power of the Eternal Flame worked in their favor, as the couple married four years later and have been together since.

“It’s all my fault, all the drama of me, all the drama is my fault,” Aubrie said.

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