Real Life Valentines or Business Deals-What Are Miami Mergers

Miami Mergers do not come from Miami as one might think. They are real life valentines who went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Not only were they valentines while attending Miami University, they became married valentines. Kevin Marks, director of annual giving, says that the percentage of Miami University alumni married to another Miami University graduate is about 14-17% (more than 13,000 couples) and that other universities have a percentage rate of about 3-8% of graduates who are married to each other.

No reason for the high rate of "mergers" has ever been identified, but there is a tradition that some think could be a factor. The famous Upham Arch, shown in the picture above, is the scene where the tradition takes place. According to legend, if a couple kisses under the arch's lantern at midnight, they are destined to get married.

Since 1973, the Miami University Alumni Office has sent thousands of valentines to couples who are Miami Mergers. The Miami Merger valentine card design changes each year, but usually incorporates some form of inter-locking hearts. The valentine always includes a poem saying something about "Me & You" and initials M U (standing both for Me & You and Miami University) are somewhere in the design. Another constant feature is the phrase "When two hearts beat as one, and both attended Miami, it's a Miami Merger". The valentines are highly anticipated and treasured. Valentines are free, but they are so popular that the alumni association now sells address labels and cake kits for Miami Mergers.

On June 20, 2009, 1,087 Miami Merger valentine couples renewed their vows during the alumni week-end gathering that climaxed Miami University's bi-centennial year. The renewal of vows took place at the Upham Arch and at the conclusion of the ceremony, each couple was encouraged to walk through the arch and experience again the famous traditional kiss. The Miami University Alumni office is waiting for the Guinness Book of World records to authenticate this as a world record. Two of the attendees were 2009 graduates who had just gotten married the day before the vow renewal. They not only participated in the vow renewal but waited until then to sign their marriage certificate. The two oldest Miami Merger Valentines were honored at the cermony. They graduated in 1938 and 1939.

Well-known Miami Merger valentines include Miami University head basketball coach, Charlie Coles (and wife Delores). There are four additional Miami Mergers in the Coles family. You can find their story in the links below. Former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (and wife Frances) are also on the list of famous Miami University graduates and Miami Merger valentines. Matthew Metzger, who graduated from Miami University in 2002, is known both for his American Idol competition (making it until the season 3 semi-finals) and his role as Duke Buchanan on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. Natalie Witwer, who is known for her 2001 Miss Ohio crown, graduated from Miami University in 2004. When Natalie Witwer became Natalie Metzger, Matthew and Natalie became Miami Merger valentines.

So now you know. The term "Miami Merger" describes real life Valentines not a business deal somewhere in Florida. Check out the links below for more interesting information about Miami Merger Valentines.

Newswise.com

Story of Charlie and Delores Coles and other Miami Merger Valentine couples
http://tinyurl.com/yjmms32

Pictures of Miami Merger Valentine Cards through the years
http://www.miamialum.org/s/916/internalSub.aspx?sid=916&gid=1&pgid=537

Picture of the Guinness Book of World Records Vow Renewal and stories of Miami Merger Valentine couples
http://www.miamialum.org/s/916/internalSub.aspx?sid=916&gid=1&pgid=535

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Metzger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Ohio