Sparks at Parks: Finding love at the circulation desk

It could have been a love song. Serena (Murphy) Wells was a student worker at the circulation desk in Parks Library when she noticed him. Ethan Wells was a fellow psychology major and library student employee. It turns out, he was noticing Serena, too.

“Serena would sing while she worked and make weird, fun noises. Her laugh is what got me,” Ethan said. “I wanted to be close to her.”

It was their staff supervisor who first connected the two at the circulation desk.

"I got to know Serena and Ethan in much the same way – talking music,” said Dan Shea (’05 fine arts, ’18 MFA), library assistant in access services. “I noticed the two never really worked shifts together, so I let Serena know about this other circulation employee who I enjoyed talking music with.”

Serena reached out to Ethan to connect via Snapchat. Then they pulled a few of the same shifts.

Over time, they struck up a friendship. 

“We really got to know each other organically as we hung out at work,” Serena said. They most enjoyed talking about music. They shared favorite artists and playlists on Spotify. Over time, Serena noticed the shared playlists from Ethan began to change.

“When Ethan made me a playlist that was more love song mix, I knew we were like a going to be more than friends,” she said. 

The two were soon inseparable. They’d walk to class together and signed up to work every shift together at Parks Library. Ethan would offer to take Serena’s closing rounds during their night shift.

The couple graduated in 2023 and had their engagement photos taken in Parks Library.

When it came time to select an officiant for their wedding, they knew only one were married by Shea this officiant for their wedding, they knew only one person would do. The Wells were married by Shea this October.

“When Serena and Ethan asked me to officiate their wedding, I was extremely flattered,” said Shea. I had no idea the role I played in getting them together. It was a blast to facilitate the sheer giddiness that was their wedding. They’re a pretty special couple.”

Serena is working at the Des Moines Area Community College library in Ankeny, Iowa, and will soon be pursuing her master’s degree in library and information science.

Ethan is earning his master’s degree in psychology via Arizona State University while working as a career specialist for Goodwill. On their couch is a University Library branded stadium blanket – their cat’s favorite snuggle spot. 

Wherever they call home, Parks Library will always be where their love song was penned. “My favorite part of college was working at Parks Library,” Serena said. “That’s where I found the love of my life.” “So true,” Ethan said.