Emily Barrett ’12 and Mathew Bleam ’07

Emily Barrett ’12 and Mathew Bleam ’07

Our story is truly one of coincidence and dumb luck. We both played rugby as undergrads which led us to attend the 50th Rugby Anniversary weekend in October 2013. Being 5 years apart in school we never overlapped but had a number of mutual rugby friends in the years between us. During the rugby event we managed to somehow strike up a conversation — most likely over a keg at The Point. We had an undeniable smitten attraction that weekend, but since Mat is a native of Philly and I hail from Boston, we were unsure if or how we could bridge that 271-mile gap. Despite the geographical setback, we used every excuse to see one another after that first meeting. Whether it was an alumni event or a rugby gathering in NYC, we took literally every opportunity we could to see one another. We started officially dating in April 2015 and spent the next 2.5 years dating long-distance thanks in large part to FaceTime, TSA pre-check and JetBlue Airways. Mat proposed in April 2017 and we wed in September 2018 surrounded by a herd of Stags and Fairfield ruggers. It goes without saying that our relationship would not exist without Fairfield and Fairfield U rugby.

Class Years: 2007 & 2012
First Met: 50th Rugby Anniversary Weekend, October 2013
Wedding Date: 9/2018

Tags:  StagMates

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