I married my husband because we both love Syracuse Basketball

We matched online with ‘Syracuse Orangeman’ in our profiles

Syracuse has had its fair share of adorable love stories, but this one has raised the bar.

We’re all a little picky when it comes to what we look for in a partner, whether it be the typical, “he has to have a sense of humor” or not.

For Rawan Jabaji , a Syracuse Alum, her criteria was a little more specific.

In September of 2013, Rawan opened an OKCupid profile in hopes of finding someone who shared her love for Syracuse and more specifically, the basketball team.

Little did she know that she would marry a SUNY Oswego grad, who was as devoted to ‘Cuse basketball as her.

“You pledge allegiance to the Syracuse Orange. It’s the center of everyone’s social life,” Mrs Jibaji told the New York Times.

When Waleed Khabbaz’s profile showed up, the two had only a 60 percent compatibility rating, but Rawan ignored it because he liked Syracuse Orange just as much as her.

The two came from similar backgrounds and grew up a few minutes from each other in the Syracuse area. When Rawan agreed to meet him, she was anxious because “he seemed a little too good to be true.”

Nervous as she was, she still met him and ended up having a good time. After seeing they had a lot in common, Rawan and Waleed both agreed to cancel their OKCupid accounts.

In February of 2014, the couple watched their first game together, Syracuse vs Duke game. Excitement filled the room and both were surprised by each other’s energy towards the game.

Rawan said: “I didn’t realize he would be more into it than me, but that’s what I wished for.”

Waleed added: “I was jumping, walking away, closing my eyes.

“It was intense. She was definitely into it. She was overshadowed by my craziness.”

The happy, ‘Cuse-loving couple married last Saturday at St. Elias Antichian Orthodox Christian Church in Syracuse.

Here’s wishing the happy couple a life of love , happiness, and may they continue to bleed orange!

Photo Credit: Leo Timoshuk Photography

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