Johnson Space Hearts Unite

In a place where a love of science unites all, it makes sense that the laws of attraction have united people with love of a different kind at Johnson Space Center.  Many people from all organizations and fields have come together at NASA over a passion for their careers, and ultimately, a passion for each other. 
 
In an elaborate proposal, Adam Naids, Project Engineer for Exploration and EVA Tools, surprised his girlfriend, Elena Buhay, who works AST Data Systems, with a proposal at the top of Building 1 on New Year’s Eve 2014. “The idea just came to me one day,” said Naids.  “I’m always one for big productions.”  As if proclaiming his love for his girlfriend atop the tallest building at JSC was not enough, Naids also prepared a trail of rose pedals leading up the nine flights of stairs.  He put a photo and message on each floor that created a poem when put together.  “It was our story,” Naids said.  On the roof, a heart-shaped frame held all the photos, and Naids popped the question.   
 
Naids and Buhay met through the co-op program at Johnson Space Center three years ago.  “My fiancé and I met here and I thought proposing somewhere here would be cool.”  However, Naids’ idea had to go through a process of approvals, to gain access to the roof of Building 1 in a legal way.  Thanks to coordination with security, Naids gained legal access to the roof and a memory to last a lifetime.    
 
Two other star-crossed lovers, Theresa Castillo from Barrios Technology Ltd. and Juan Castillo from Jacobs Engineering met while working on the BIO-Plex project in 1999.  “One of our first dates was to go star gazing with friends to see the Perseids meteor shower – my husband owns a telescope and that night was the first time I’d seen Saturn up close – he snagged my attention for sure,” said Theresa.  Juan proposed while camping four years later.  At the wedding they included a reading from the section of Genesis that mentions the creation of the planets.
 
“Our song is ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, and a paraphrase of part of the chorus is engraved on our wedding bands – ‘Look at the stars, how they shine for us,’” said Theresa.  They just celebrated their 10 year anniversary in October, and are sharing their love of space with their three daughters.  Their second child, who is only 3, just saw the moon up close for the first time.  “It was amazing to witness her eyes being opened in wonder to the majesty of space,” said Theresa.  “We started camping with our kids while they were still babies, and we talk with them often about our jobs here at NASA.  We hope to inspire them with the same love of space that brought us together.” 
 
Now married 25 years, the fates came together for Susan and Jeffry Stone in a dramatic and unbelievable twist.  Susan was working for Rockwell when her car broke down near the main office on Gemini.  While waiting for her dad, she applied for a job at NASA and was hired. “I had a similar serendipitous start when a friend applied and didn’t want the job, but recommended I apply, and I also was hired,” said Jeffry.  At the time, Rockwell CEO Glynn Lunney had been reflecting on his lengthy career and threw a party to give the new hires a chance to meet early in their careers.  Susan and Jeffry met at the party and started working together in Mission Control and that is all it took. “Our three kids are in college, and it’s all because of the space program,” said Jeffry. 
 
Yet another love story was summed up in a few sentences by Alex and C.J. Kanelakos.  “I fell in love with my beautiful bride on a co-op launch trip to KSC.  As my now wife depicted her passion for life, family, and her faith, there were literally fireworks above our heads watching STS-121 launch on July 4^th,” said Alex. Jennifer Wiseman and Mark Shelhamer fell in love over space-related activities while at MIT.  Jennifer works for Goddard Space Flight Center while Mark works for JSC.  Although they work in two separate locations, a love of space has brought them together.  They have been married since 1997 and are still both as passionate about their careers and each other.
 
Susan and Clayton Anderson met in the lunch line at JSC.  “He followed me through the Building 11 salad bar line in 1990,” said Susan.  Susan was a Human Resources specialist at the time and Clayton was the Branch Chief for Flight Design.  With no other way to find her, Clayton pursued Susan through the mini phone books on the JSC campus.  “The rest, as they say, is history!” 
 
Working toward the next step in any endeavor, whether for science, love or both, enables everyone who is brave enough to venture into the unknown to achieve results that may uncover a lifetime of passion.


Anna Seils, NASA Johnson Space Center's Public Affairs Office