A love story written on campus

On campus, Tanya Kumar, Economics and Public Policy ‘18, and Vishnu Madhavan, Accounting ‘17, spent time at the library getting to know each other. What started as a friendship soon turned into something more — leading not only to memorable dates but eventually to a wedding right here on campus.

Vishnu was visiting campus to transfer to UW Bothell’s School of Business, and he knew about Tanya from friends. He also secretly fancied her. Then they just so happened to bump into each other outside of the Subway on campus (RIP) and agreed to meet up later that day in the campus library.

As they parted, their eyes met and time seemed to stand still — for them both. Vishnu said it felt like they stared at each other for a long time “but in reality it was probably like two seconds.” Later, they had the first of many library dates.

After Vishnu transferred to UW Bothell, one of their favorite activities was to get cookies warmed up at Subway to eat between classes. They also loved to visit nearby Bothell Landing Park for walks. That was where Vishnu first told Tanya he loved her and years later where he proposed surrounded by family and friends.

This summer, Tanya and Vishnu came back to UW Bothell to get married before having a larger ceremony in Dubai. What better place to commit to each other than where it all began? Of course, Subway is now long gone, so for their wedding they had the next best thing: PotBelly Sandwiches.