Grace Lee & Jamilee Rodriguez Castillo, Staff Writer & Special to The Denisonian–
Marriage may not always be a typical part of one’s time on The Hill, but for a few students, this love and partnership have become central to their undergraduate experiences.
P.J. Suppes ‘26, who married his wife, Hannah, in August 2024, right before his junior year, described his marriage as a very important part of his life.
Suppes felt that the timing of his marriage was right, and that it was “something [he was] open to.” Hannah was eager to settle and choose where they would live.
Their first months were spent staying with friends 10 minutes off campus, but by February, they chose to move closer, seeking a routine that made school and married life blend more seamlessly.
Suppes reshaped his academic schedule into a strict 9-to-5 structure, carving out evenings for intentional time together. The adjustment hasn’t been without sacrifice, as he sometimes misses the spontaneous interactions of living on campus with his close friends.
Still, marriage has reshaped his social life, pushing him to build friendships more intentionally.
“[I] take advantage of trying to build relationships in places that I hadn’t previously been,” he said.
He describes marriage as a deeply maturing experience and a daily practice in understanding another person and making thoughtful decisions.
For Brody Lewis ‘26, who married in August 2025, the choice to wed before graduation came from certainty rather than convenience, as he said, “no doubts, then no point in waiting.” His wife, Emilia, a nursing student, balances her own demanding schedule, and together they rely on constant communication, often by text or FaceTime.
Lewis mirrors Suppes’ approach to academics by treating school like a 9-to-5 job, ensuring evenings are theirs to spend time together.
While he hasn’t turned down opportunities because of marriage, his priorities have shifted.
“I’ve diverted my focus from chasing parties and events. It’s just her,” Lewis said.
He’s aware of the misconception that young couples must meet certain financial or life milestones before marrying. For him, marriage is about aligning the relationship and committing fully to it.
Suppes added that marriage was “a good financial decision” for them because of potentially receiving more financial aid for tuition from the federal government through eligibility status.
Alyssa McPhee ‘27 offered a slightly different perspective. Now engaged, she plans to marry next August when her fiancé, Donald Kennedy, graduates.
Kennedy plans to move to Granville, work flexibly, and follow McPhee wherever she goes for graduate school.
McPhee anticipates the challenges of juggling coursework, a social life, and marriage, but she believes in prioritizing people she loves, managing busy seasons as a team, and balancing time between her friends and her partner.
She also noticed a subtle skepticism from society about marrying young, though she insists maturity is not measured by relationship status. Marriage, instead, shifts her long-term perspective and the way she makes decisions.
These relationships have brought meaning and stability to these students’ lives, according to the students.
Though there are some sacrifices that these students face, from living off-campus to potentially having more responsibilities, these students have also found an immense opportunity for upward growth and increasing maturity. Through being married, these students have prioritized being intentional in their social lives and managing their time well.