September 11, 2026
By Dr. Love · Doctor Love
My girlfriend and I met at Grove in our first week of freshman orientation. Now, as seniors, we have been talking a lot about marriage, and I have even picked out a ring. The problem: I don’t know where I should propose. Grove is important to us, so I would love to pop the question somewhere on or near campus, but I don’t want it to be cheesy. Can you give me some recommendations?
Dude … what a classic Grove City question! Congratulations on planning to take the big step.
Grove is a place where you and your girl have, I’m sure, made so many memories. I know my boyfriend and I have taken plenty of hour-long Pinchalong walks. I know if this Dr. Love ever became Dr. Mrs. Love, the Grove proposal spot would be on that road.
So if you’re set on Grove, don’t be afraid of being “cliché” – if there’s a place where you’ve spent countless hours together that you think she will love, then propose there! Authenticity should always be valued higher than originality.
If you have a hidden cameraman (and you should!), then Rainbow Bridge, the Rockwell steps, the lower campus nature trail and the IM fields are great places to be both secluded and surrounded by cameraman perches.
And, to be honest, your story is pretty cliché already. Met in the first week? You’re going to face those jokes from people anyway, so don’t let it dictate how you handle this situation. In fact, it’s so cliché you might just want to lean into it.
I’d also add that the STEM school has a new dean who may not yet be aware that the Rockwell Tower is technically off-limits … maybe ask him to let you up there to propose. It certainly would be a one-of-a-kind experience!
In the meantime, I wish you all the best as you prepare to pop the question – remember, your audience is the girl you love. If she can see the heart in it, it doesn’t matter if it’s cheesy!
Auspiciously,
Dr. Love, M.D.
September 4, 2026
By Dr. Love · Doctor Love
I am a junior member of OB, and it’s one of my favorite campus ministries. Orientation Board is known for its events, but its real heart is to connect with the new freshman class as they enter our college community. The problem is … I am feeling a different connection with one of the freshman guys in my community group. He’s so kind … so generous … so caring … so humble … he may be the one. But is our age and class difference too much of a roadblock to our blossoming relationship?
… And this is why OB has the reputation it does.
I have never been on OB. But if I were in charge, I would send you packing if you made a move on a guy in your connection group during OB season.
Back in my day, we called our connection group leaders moms and dads (weird, right?). But just because you no longer call your connection group freshmen “kids” does not mean they automatically become potential mates.
I remember meeting my now-boyfriend at the carnival freshman year — I saw my OB connection group leaders as my big brothers and sisters. OB does great work to connect freshmen to one another — please, for the love of the freshmen, don’t ruin that work!
Freshmen change and can change quickly. They find new friends and join clubs. For crying out loud, at least let him have his first midterm before you pounce on him!
Last thing I’ll say is — he is the one who should be asking you out. If he has not, that is because he is responsible enough to know he shouldn’t catch a case of the “freshman frenzy” with someone who just last year would have been called his “mom.”
If you still feel he “may be the one” after fall break … start dropping hints. Please, write to me after fall break to let me know if the feelings remain — I want to know how this goes!
Auspiciously,
Dr. Love
