There's nothing special about a sandwich machine: they're convenient, inexpensive and provide a quick lunch.
But for professors Diane Christian and Bruce Jackson, a particular sandwich machine back in 1970 that used to be located in UB's English department proved to be much more than a simple lunch.
"I was new to the department and very nervous about coming to UB. I was hungry so I went over to get something to eat when I saw this hairy guy coming towards me," Christian said. "I asked for his advice on what sandwich to get and instead of introducing himself and making me feel welcome, he was obnoxious and teased me."
From that point on, Christian and Jackson couldn't get enough of each other and now, 33 years later, they're still going strong.
"My marriage was breaking up when I met Diane. I was attracted to her right away," Jackson said. "We talked and ate every lunch together for about a year until my divorce was final."
After a year of talking, Christian and Jackson became an item. Shortly after that, Jackson had to move to California for a fellowship. He spent a year writing and doing photography in Berkley and San Francisco. As soon as his year was completed, he came back to Buffalo to marry Christian.
Christian, a former nun, left the ministry in June of 1969. She met her husband just a few short months later.
"Everyone thinks that
Bruce wooed me away from the ministry, which would make for a more romantic story, but my vows had run out and I just decided it wasn't for me anymore," Christian said.
Wooing her from the ministry would have been romantic but it sounds like there's plenty of romance to go around in this relationship.
"One time on my birthday, Bruce lit the entire backyard which was covered in snow, with candles. We then sat down to a candlelight dinner. It was beautiful," Christian said.
According to Jackson, there was another romantic instance that involved a night in Paris, an expensive hotel suite, silk sheets and a hot bubble bath. We'll leave it at that.
Both Jackson and Christian are distinguished professors at UB in the English department. Not only are they in the same department, they have co-taught a class for eight years called the Buffalo Film Seminar. They have also written five documentaries and several books together.
"She keeps me funny and is constantly in good humor," Jackson said. "We're still so much in love and the romance is constant."
Fate certainly had a plan for these two. Both originally from Brooklyn, they eventually found each other in Buffalo, NY. Their incredible compatibility as co-workers and a couple is something to be envied.
"We're together all of the time; at work and at home," Christian said. "We love it and don't get bored or sick of each other. It's heaven."
