From lab partners to life partners

Vicky (BSC ’96) and Mark (BSC ’95) met studying computing science at SFU in the early 90s, and forged a strong friendship those first few years of university. Before romance was ever in the air, they spent time together as part of the same friend group—spending lots of late nights all together in the computer lab.

“We were ‘just friends’ until our last year,” Vicky reminisces.  

“I convinced him to take a fourth-year computing science class with me, knowing the course was project-based and you were partnered with the same person for the whole semester.  I knew Mark would be a great work partner, plus it would give us an excuse to spend more time together. I think we worked pretty well together and I guess he thought the same.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Their computing science degrees happened to take them both to BC Hydro, where they have built careers with quite different focal areas. Vicky is an IT business analyst while Mark is a cybersecurity manager.

They also went on to have three children together, ages 18, 14, and 7, who keep them busy and bring lots of joy and laughter.

“SFU holds a special place in our hearts as it was where our friendship started and grew into a solid relationship,” says Vicky.

The couple had their engagement photos done at SFU and even considered having their wedding atop Burnaby Mountain.   

When asked what words of wisdom they would offer future SFU alumni, Vicky and Mark say it’s all about keeping an open mind.

“Think of your degree as a skeleton key that can open any number of doors, even some that you may not be expecting. Be open to opportunities that may not align exactly with what you had in mind when you started your learning journey.”