In honor of the return of the Alumni Association Valentine's Dance for the first time in 12 years, we are Shell-ebrating Terp love! Check out just a few Terp love stories below and fill out this form to share your own for a chance to be featured.

Jerome Linkins, Sr. '86 and Jehnell Adams- Linkins '87

Tell us how you met!
We met in high school and continued our journey together as students at the University of Maryland, College Park.

What’s your favorite Maryland memory together?
Our favorite memory of Maryland would be date night at Hungry Herman's, playing arcade games and ending at Swenson’s ice cream parlor.

Why do you have Maryland pride? 
We deeply value the exceptional education we received at the University of Maryland, so much so that both of our children also earned their degrees from Maryland! Jerome Linkins, Jr., Esq., and Jehnae J. Linkins, PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, are proud members of the Maryland family.

What brings you back to campus?
We aim to contribute to the vibrant UMD culture by supporting and giving back to the campus community. Having been married in the beautiful campus Memorial Chapel, we cherish returning on our anniversary to reflect on the special moments and fond memories we created at UMD.

Tell us a cute/funny story of your time on campus together. 
We had a big snowstorm that closed the campus, so we made the most of it by using dining hall trays to sled down the hills—it was a blast! We would also enjoy participating in Homecoming events, collecting buttons for the various football games and creating unforgettable memories. The Residence Halls Association organized exciting activities like dinner cruises on the Potomac and trips to Atlantic City, adding even more adventure to our college experience.

Tell us how you met!
JR: We met on a blind date at Maryland.  I was the social chair for Delta Gamma. I didn't have a date for a sorority party. My friend told me about Chad and really wanted me to meet him. So, I met him and then we went to Baha Beach Club in Baltimore, Md. for our first date. We've been together since that night: October 14, 1999.

What’s your favorite Maryland memory together?
CR: Our senior year, as we were getting ready to graduate, Jessica worked at the Calvert House. She used to work the Rotary Club dinners. There was a gentleman there named Mr. Sunny and he asked Jessica if she was going to the Orange Bowl. And Jess was like "no, no I don't think we have the money to go." And he asked, "if I got you a ticket, would you go?" So immediately, we booked flights and a hotel. We stayed at the Thunderbird Inn down in Florida.

JR: The Terps didn't win, but we had so much school spirit and were so proud to be there!

Why do you have Maryland pride?
JR: A lot of it has to do with the fact that we met each other there. My brother went to Maryland. I have so many friends that went there and relationships built. For me, personally, I have found a really rewarding career at the University of Maryland. I bleed Maryland red.

CR: I grew up in the area going to Maryland football games, basketball games, and the lacrosse national championships. Maryland has always been a part of my life.

What brings you back to campus?
JR: I  go every day and it's not just because I work there as the senior executive director of the Alumni Association. I love being on campus! I get energy from the students and the amazing leaders on campus. There's a feeling of pride every time I pull in onto Stadium Drive. Chad comes to a ton of events with me and we bring our boys with us whenever we can. It's all about family for us. 

CR: My truth is that after I graduated for about eight years, I made sure I came back every summer to coach lacrosse camp so I could go to the South Campus Dining Hall and eat. That was a great part of the summer. I enjoy coming back ...it's great to see all the changes being made.

Tell us how you met!
AC: We met in the year 2006 at Wawa. Everyone went out to Route One to go party and the after-move was to go to Wawa to get some food. 

SC: And I had already seen him because we lived in the same dorm sophomore year, so I knew him and definitely thought he was cute and told my friends that. So when I saw him and we struck up a conversation, I was like "yep, on it!"

What’s your favorite Maryland memory together?
AC: Graduation. Our families were all there. We have a lot of pictures. It was a great time for everyone to meet and a celebratory moment. We achieved something!

SC: Dating all through college, spending so many late nights at McKeldin Library, studying, and then celebrating that with him and our families was super special.

Why do you have Maryland pride?
SC: I am Maryland born and raised, from the Baltimore suburbs. I knew I was going to University of Maryland since I could talk. To grow up, go to my dream school and spend those four years in College Park was the best thing ever. I still live in the area, still contribute to the Alumni Association and still go to events. I am a Terp forever.

AC: I made a lot of connections and relationships that I still have today. I'm originally from New Jersey, but I've become a Marylander. It's a special place for me and it feels like home.

What brings you back to campus?
AC: I am on campus three - four times a week. I play basketball at the Eppley Recreation Center (it was the CRC when I was in school). I'm there all the time so I can't really say I left.

SC: I come back socially for football games, basketball games and definitely to hang out with friends. I am very fortunate that I get to do some campus recruiting through my job. I love being able to talk to current students and help them think about where they're going to go after they graduate.

Tell us a cute/funny story of your time on campus together.
SC: When we were on campus coincided with President Obama's first election. There was a day that he came to campus to speak at the Xfinity Center. It was actual pandemonium across the campus. People lined up all the way from the arena down and through, around to Campus Drive. It became, sort of, every person for themselves to get into that building.  Andre and I were both coming from opposite sides of campus from classes trying to make it to this historical event. I think I climbed through the woods and somehow we both made it there. Inside, someone tapped me on my shoulder and it turns out it was Andre. The fact that we found each other and got to enjoy that moment together is very special.

AC: We still talk about it!