Augie Sweethearts: Brenda and Derek Wiewel, Class of 1998

Submitted by Brenda Wiewel of Brimfield, Ill.

On Labor Day weekend of 1994, Derek and I both arrived on the Augustana campus to begin our college careers. We had never met, but were placed in the same orientation group. We met at Carver on Saturday morning and basically spent our next 4 years together at Augie. We were best friends instantly, and never looked back. We made it through busy campus lives that included our classes, being part of the Greek system, me playing softball, working on campus, and sharing time with friends and family.

We graduated in 1998 knowing that we would spend our lives together. Graduate school and careers put some distance between us for two years. Finally, in September 2000, we said our "I do's" in Ascension Chapel. It was a gorgeous fall day on campus surrounded by our family and Augie friends. Eighteen years later, Derek and I share a life in Brimfield with our two daughters, Taylor and Josie.

We reminisce about Augustana all of the time and stroll through campus any chance we get. When we showed up on campus that first time many years ago, I don't think either of us were expecting to find our partner in life. We did, though, sitting there on the gym floor. It wasn't a terribly romantic meeting, but it was obviously meant to be. Our lives and relationship have been blessed due to our time spent together at Augustana.