When Steven Feyl arrived for his job interview at Pace’s Mortola Library in 2001, he never could have predicted that his future wife would be the one conducting the interview.  Sarah Burns-Feyl, Assistant University Librarian for Instructional Services, and Steven Feyl, Associate University Librarian (Mortola and Graduate Center Libraries, are among the many librarian couples in their circle of friends.

“Steven thinks it’s because we’re both quirky,” Sarah said, “but really it’s because we share the same interest and passion.”

The Feyls admitted that there were no sparks flying when Steven interviewed for the position. Common ground was established between the two when Steven revealed stories of his road trips across America in hopes of making it to nine baseball games in 10 days. Their passion for baseball became the initial reason for igniting their flame.

On the East Coast, the clear division between Yankees and Mets could be the “make or break” factor of any relationship.

“Just out of curiosity I asked him, ‘Yankees or Mets?,’” Mrs. Feyl said.

She was relieved to discover that he, too, was a Mets fan.

Steven wooed his co-worker slowly after both had developed chemistry while on the job.  The pair acknowledges their first “official” date as the time that they saw Moulin Rouge followed by “a very, very buttery Salmon” prepared by Steven himself. The experience led the two lovebirds to the roof of his Bronx apartment where they shared lemon spritzers and each other’s air.

“He made the first move on the fourth of July; we went to Tarrytown to see the fireworks and he reached over and grabbed my hand. There was never one specific moment that I knew he was the one; it was multiple moments when everything just felt right,” Mrs. Feyl said.

Steven’s intuition is what clued him in to the genuine compatibility between himself and his wife.

“You know it’s the right person when you’re with someone and there are no games,” Mr. Feyl said. “When you don’t have to worry if they like you or if you’re interesting enough, you can just tell that they love you for you.”

The couple has decided against having their own biological children, however, Pace students have not failed in substituting in this department. The Feyls feel as if the students, especially those working in Mortola, are their own.

“When we watch them grow from a freshman to a successful man or woman, it feels like we played a part in that,” Mr. Feyl said. “It’s very rewarding.”

As much as the Feyls attempt to separate work and leisure, the couple has a difficult time leaving the university out of their conversation.

“We try to only discuss work on the commute home, which is about an hour, and then when we get home and it still continues to come up in conversation,” said Mr. Feyl as his wife nodded in agreement.

The couple will be celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary in November. Like the majority of their relationship, their proposal was also baseball related. The two pit-stopped at the renowned baseball field featured in the film Field of Dreams while road-tripping to Kentucky.

With Steven on the pitchers mound, and Sarah on home base, he threw the ball to her and waited anxiously for her response.

“It was amazing, I looked down and he had written, ‘Sarah, will you marry me?’” Mrs. Feyl said.

The two tied the knot in Saratoga, NY with hints of baseball décor.

Steven and Sarah will recognize their 13th year as an official Pace, faculty couple next year.