Carter Sligh, OC ’13, and Dan Hegner, OC ’14, really had no mutual friends. The two only “met” Carter’s senior year, after some shameless Facebook stalking for Dan’s profile — Facebook, at the time, was relatively new. It was a “no regrets” moment for Carter when he emailed Dan, asking to grab coffee in those final days on campus. Unfortunately, Dan was busy. But if Carter was ever back in Oberlin, sure, it could happen then.
Lo and behold, Carter did end up back in Oberlin after he graduated. Four months later, he followed up with Dan. The two went to Slow Train Cafe, “the best coffee shop in the world,” according to Carter. It was the day of the Oberlin Doggie Doo, too, so they walked and talked, and suddenly it had been about three hours. After a few more jaunts like these, the two decided they were dating.
That first date was ten years ago. In summer 2019, Carter and Dan were married at Fairchild Chapel. Surrounded by loved ones — fellow alumni, former professors, and family — it was as if they had the campus to themselves. It being summer in Oberlin, though, meant that it was so sweltering in the Chapel that the pews were practically melting, the stain of the pews impressing itself on some guests’ clothing.
While their first date was at Slow Train, another renowned Oberlin institution was of extreme importance to Carter and Dan: The Feve, where they had their rehearsal dinner and afterparty.
In that year after Carter graduated, he acted as a live-in nanny for a former professor, Charles McGuire, OC ’92, and his wife, Kira McGirr, OC ’06 — Kira, it’s important to note, would later officiate Carter and Dan’s wedding. In Dan’s senior year, Carter could act as a stabilizing force for him, especially during the commotion of midterms and finals. Living in the bubble of Oberlin that first year was idyllic in many ways — not to mention they didn’t have to pay rent or buy dog food as they do now for their dog Birdie, who they’ve had for almost four years.
Once Carter graduated, he departed the country to the University of York for a Master of Arts. Dan, on the other hand, moved to Washington, D.C. to begin what would become a year-and-a-half of an ocean between them. In many ways, that time apart was foundational to their relationship. To think about who they each were in those early years and who they are now is almost like thinking of two different people, in an incredibly special way.
