Love Blooms at Tri-C as Two Couples Who Met at the College Marry

February 13, 2015

Oct. 18, 2014 was a special day for two couples, both of whom met and fell in love while working at Tri-C. Although Chuck and Beth Cieslik and Chris and Stephanie Faciana married on that gorgeous (albeit rainy) fall day, their stories are as different as can be.

Chuck, a desktop support technician, and Beth, administrative assistant for Administration and Finance, first met at an open mic night at Western Campus in 2004. Though their paths crossed several times over the next few years, it wasn’t until 2011 that the timing was right for romance to bloom.

“We are lucky to have reconnected,” Chuck said. “After that first, brief meeting, I never forgot about her.”

Beth said, “We feel like this was definitely meant to be.”

Stephanie, Tri-C’s government and community affairs liaison, and Chris, wellness coordinator and program manager for Sport and Exercise Studies, met in 2011 while working at District Administrative Offices. They struck up a friendship, often chatting about their weekend plans and things that were going on in their lives.

“At the Christmas party in 2012, I asked Stephanie if she would ever consider dating a co-worker,” Chris said. “She didn’t think it was a good idea at first, but she eventually came around.”

Beth and Chuck were married at the German Central Foundation in Parma.

“We wanted our wedding to have a nostalgic, Old World feel,” Beth said.

An accordion player serenaded guests as they dined on chicken paprikash and cabbage rolls. Later, the crowd took to the dance floor for the Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey.

Chris and Stephanie went the more modern route, choosing the elegant La Malfa in Mentor as the backdrop for their celebration. Their grand entrance, per Chris’ request, was WWE-themed.

“I wanted our guests to be able to see both our influences in the reception,” Stephanie said. “Chris and the groomsmen were so excited about coming in to these wrestling-themed songs that I didn’t have the heart to veto it.” 

The Ciesliks took a “mini-moon” in Niagara Falls, Ontario immediately following the wedding. The highlight of the trip was zipping around Niagara-on-the-Lake on rented e-scooters, followed by a self-guided winery tour. They are planning a cross-country road trip this fall.

The Facianas spent a week in Sanibel Island, Fla., during which they went kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico and visited the world-famous Bubble Room.

Chuck and Beth live in Brooklyn with their two cats and enjoy reading and trying new restaurants. They have a shared passion for music; Chuck plays several instruments, and Beth has been a DJ on Cleveland State University’s radio station (WCSB) for more than 10 years.

Chris and Stephanie live in Broadview Heights, where they indulge their shared interests in cooking and true crime TV. They keep fit through outdoor activities such as walking and hiking and enjoy taking camping trips together.