What began as a chance meeting at San Diego State, led to a rollercoaster ride of a relationship recently culminated in the wedding between two former students at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

Peter Salas and Jeanine Walker were married on Sept. 1 after spending nearly five and a half years together since they were both students at SDSU. Salas, a San Diego native and former Marine, graduated in 2009 with a degree in math and computer science. Walker graduated in 2011 with a degree in business management.

It all began when Walker transferred to SDSU from Springfield, Ore. Difficulty setting up her schedule prompted her to seek assistance from the peer advising center. She met Salas there, and they became “instant friends” while he showed her around campus. In those early days, Salas recalls being attracted to Walker’s “prettiest blue eyes,” while Salas’ “big smile” captivated his future bride.

After some time Salas, who was deployed to Africa for seven months. Walker described Salas’ deployment as a foundational experience in shaping their relationship, and the two became a couple when Salas returned. The two quickly found characteristics in each other they felt made them quite compatible. For Salas, it was the support he felt from Walker during his time in the military.

“She was proud of (me being) in the Marine Corps,” Salas said. “She pushed me to be a better person.”

Walker similarly felt Salas’ heart and compassion were distinguishing characteristics.

“He doesn’t have to know someone to help them. He has a light inside him,” Walker said. “He is caring, genuine and just wants to help people.”

During their time at SDSU, both Salas and Walker were very involved in campus life and activities. Salas started a math and science club and was also president of the Student Veterans Organization for two semesters. The two also enjoyed attending sporting events together. They reflected on their time at SDSU with fond memories.

“I just love this campus,” Salas said. “We both care a lot about the school,” Walker agreed.

Their romance seemed to be smooth sailing, but a battle with alcohol addiction an addiction rose from beneath the happy surface.

“It almost destroyed our relationship,” Walker says.

“We knew drinking was an issue,” Salas added.

Ultimately, the couple made the decision to seek sobriety. One of the ways Walker and Salas strove to overcome their addiction was to improve their communication by participating in a high ropes course offered through Aztec Adventures, an SDSU organization featuring outdoor programs. The two learned to overcome their fears through team-building activities while climbing and on other obstacle courses.

“We had to learn to communicate with each other to get sober,” Salas said. “When you climb, your life is in each other’s hands. (Climbing) renewed our trust in each other.”

To put it simply, he describes his newlywed as his, “belay partner.”

By attending a support group and making a point to avoid certain social situations, they managed to defeat alcoholism. Today the couple can proudly say they have been sober for more than three years.

“It was a struggle, but we did it together,” Walker said.

The choice to hold their wedding at the Alumni Center was an easy one. After considering pricier locations, they opted for the Alumni Center, at which both Salas and Walker were present for its grand opening.

“We didn’t have to look anywhere else,” Walker remembers. “We just knew.”

The ceremony was held on the back lawn, with the football field serving as a backdrop and as a appropriate symbol of the school that brought them together. In the end, it was a perfect fit.

“San Diego State is where we fell in love with each other,” Salas reminisces. “It’s where we renewed our love for each other.”

Today, the two enjoy many thrilling activities such as hiking, traveling and climbing.

“We both like to laugh and have fun together,” Walker says of their adventures.

She also recognizes the ways in which she and Salas work as a couple.

“We’re both motivated people and have high aspirations,” she says. “We’re really different but we have commonalities in where we want to go in life,” Walker said.

As for the future, the couple hopes to have the quintessential American dream of owning a house, having children and opening a business together in San Diego. Their dream is to open a climbing gym to benefit returning veterans as a homage to Salas’ military past, which would serve as an outlet for servicemen and women.

While the pair’s romance may seem like a plot from a movie, the two recognize the effort they must put forth to continue strengthening their marriage.

“Our relationship isn’t perfect,” Salas said. “It’s about working through those imperfections. It’s hard work,” he says.

Walker nodded and said, “Marriage is a new beginning. It’s time to move on and move forward.”