SJC Brooklyn will always hold a special place in alumni Dan and Christina Mace’s hearts.
Christina and Dan Mace
The SJC Sweethearts — who celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary this Valentine’s Day — met through the Student Government Association in 2003 when Christina was a freshman, and Dan, a senior. Christina was a freshman representative and Dan was SGA’s vice president.
They quickly became friends and got to know each other through the SGA, Chapel Players club and other campus events. It’s hard for them to pinpoint exactly when their friendship evolved into a relationship, but they agree that their first official date was most likely Dan’s senior formal.
“I like to say St. Joseph’s is really where my life starts,” Dan said. “My whole family is St. Joseph’s, I met my wife and best friends at St. Joseph’s. (It) was a great place.”
A Love Story Born at SJC Brooklyn
After graduating — Christina with a speech communication degree and Dan with a chemistry degree — the couple watched their relationship and careers blossom. They married in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 2010. A few years later, they welcomed their daughter, Julia, now 8. She shares her parent’s love for Disney, Broadway shows, and baseball. The Maces live in Middle Village, Queens.
Christina works as a speech pathologist for the city’s Department of Education and Dan is a high school teacher — which gives them ample time during over the summer to spend time with Julia. They said that they enjoy traveling, going to baseball games, visiting Manhattan, and at-home backyard barbecues.
“Dan goes to so many (Mets) games with Julia … and she has been to so many Broadway shows for her age — I find it really special that we can share that with her,” Christina said.
But no matter how much the Maces travel, they always seem to find a way back to the place where their love story began, SJC Brooklyn. Dan has been a member of SJC Brooklyn’s alumni board for about a decade. He was joined by Christina on the board a couple of years ago.
