A Magical Affair

Anastasia Varenita & Reed Condon Gilbow January 9, 2016 | Cleveland.

- Sharon Morris

Much like the young wizards who formed lifelong bonds at Hogwarts in the famed Harry Potter novels, Anastasia Varenita and Reed Condon Gilbow also met while pursuing challenging studies. Their journey began as the couple shared cups of coffee and studied Spanish as part of the Honors College program at the University of Mississippi. While their universe did not include flying broomsticks, magical wands, or wizards, a spell was certainly cast as the two pursued common interests—including an affection for all things Harry Potter—that led them to a new life together. And as the time to ask the most important question of his life drew near, Reed whipped up a few love potions of his own.

“Under the guise of exhibiting my prowess in the kitchen, I challenged Anastasia to a blindfolded taste test to determine her favorite milkshake flavor,” he shares. “When she removed her blindfold, I was on one knee, and asked her to marry me.”