Love at first flame-grilled bite: Megan & Chris’s Massey romance

An unexpected cupid strike at Massey University led Megan McKinless to discover not just academic success but also her future husband, Chris Day.

Cupid’s arrow at Massey

Growing up on the North Shore of Auckland, Megan speaks of her upbringing with an open heart, "Chris and I both come from backgrounds with some family complexities. ” This shared circumstance laid a foundation of understanding between them, creating an immediate sense of kinship. Megan fondly recounts her decision to adopt Chris’s family as her own, a reverse adoption born from deep bonds formed.

“I decided Chris’ family is mine,” Megan says warmly.

Their romance began not in the halls of learning but outside Bar101. Megan recalls the initial scepticism, “There is no way this guy is single. Too perfect!” But it was over a flame-grilled meal at Burger King where their love took its official first leap.

Massey’s Auckland campus was a canvas for their love. Megan, who ran a club, felt a unique tie to the university grounds. A poetry slam in the Atrium building brought Chris’s mother onto the stage, sharing her verses, while a play in the Sir Neil Walters Lecture Theatres saw Chris capturing moments from behind the lens. “We’ve shared plenty of kebabs and coffees on campus,” Megan says.

In a Second World War history class, Dr Adam Claasen presented us with a challenging question about military uniforms. I nailed it. Adam asked how I knew, and I credited my boyfriend. To my surprise, Adam asked if my boyfriend was Chris Day, the very person who shared the fun fact with him in the first place.”

It wasn’t just the places at Massey that nurtured their connection but the shared experiences that sculpted their understanding of one another. Megan speaks of a trip to Japan where a missed train could have separated them, but instead, it highlighted their unity. “I caught the next train and hoped it did not skip stops.” Chris’s return to her on that platform, the hurried footsteps she had come to know so well, cemented their bond even further.

Navigating life together

Their Massey journey prepared them well for life’s unpredictable nature as a couple. Both independent, they found a test for their compatibility. This independence was crucial when facing challenges, such as when the pandemic struck, altering their career trajectories and testing their resilience.
 
As they prepare for their wedding, Massey’s influence is unmistakable. With a bridal party comprising university friends and memories of the ‘golden promise’ statue that spurred Megan into running, the university’s presence will be felt on their special day. Their beloved miniature schnauzer, a symbol of their time together, is set to dash down the aisle, marking the beginning of a new chapter that’s been ten years in the making. “I’m almost disappointed that we’ll be demoted from 10 years together to 1 year of marriage,” Megan chuckles.

Leveraging Massey experience for career success
 
Their bond with Massey extends beyond mere everyday experiences – it’s the influence of the environment in forging pivotal life bonds and laying the groundwork for their professional growth.
 
Chris, who has worked various jobs, including as a bartender and a roofer, has transitioned to a tech role as a Software Support Analyst with StarShipIT, a company dedicated to optimising shipping experiences for retailers. “The skills and knowledge I gained from my life and almost all of my degree were instrumental in opening the door for me at StarShipIT,” Chris says.
 
Megan’s pursuit of history led her to the campus grounds, but the university’s environment prepared her for the world beyond academia. When discussing her unexpected career shift from an aspiring history teacher, to apprentice gemmologist, to a legal secretary, Megan credits her adaptability to her time at Massey. “It was less to do with any one thing at Massey and more to do with the state of the world,” she explains. Her degree taught her to be organised and punctual, skills that proved invaluable as she navigated the challenges of the job market during a global crisis.
 
A pivotal moment came during a group assignment, which honed her leadership skills and taught her the art of collaboration. “The most valuable thing about group projects is that you don’t get to pick the people around you,” she reflects. This realisation would echo in her professional life, where she learned the importance of assuming the best in people – a philosophy that has served her well.

A place of learning and a place of love
 
The Massey alumni network has been a cornerstone for Megan’s personal growth. She speaks with pride about her friends’ successes post-university, particularly her best friend, who now manages a popular restaurant in the CBD. Watching her friends flourish is a source of joy and inspiration for Megan.
 
As the couple prepare to formalise their union, they look back at the university with gratitude. It was there, among the familiar buildings and campus life, that their paths intertwined, leading them on a journey of love, growth, and mutual support. For Megan and Chris, Massey wasn’t just a university for learning; it was the backdrop to their love story, where two independent spirits found a familiar path.
 
As the wedding day approaches, Megan and Chris anticipate a celebration that intertwines the past with the future, a day that honours where they’ve come from and the journey ahead. With the university’s spirit woven into their wedding, it’s clear that Massey will always be a part of their love story.