Kristi was working at Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center (EARDC) as a secretary right before the 1980 fall semester. Mike had just moved into town for graduate school and would regularly come into the EARDC for appointments with Dr. Bobby Whiteside. Every time Mike would come in, Dr. Whiteside would tell him to stop looking at the red-headed secretary. Mike soon started visiting Kristi at her other part-time job in the Speech-Drama building, where they eventually had their first date. In June 1984, Kristi and Mike were married. The wedding was officiated by former Fine Arts & Communication dean Dr. Richard Cheatham, and they had their reception on the Square. The couple recently moved back to San Marcos.