Anastasios Christoforou tells us how he met his wife, Antonia, while living in the iconic student residence, Castle Irwell. Their chance meeting turned into a 45-year love story.

How did you meet?

We lived opposite one another in student accommodation in Castle Irwell. We met on my birthday on 20th February 1980 and were engaged in September of the same year. We got married a year later in Greece and are still going strong. I celebrated my 70th birthday in February and we marked 45 years since the day we met.      

Tell us about your life together after uni.      

Right after we graduated, we moved to Greece for 3 years while I did my compulsory military service and returned to the UK in 1983. We have three children, a cat and a dog, a mortgage and we live in St Albans.

What is your advice for those looking for romance on campus? 

Do not be afraid to take the right step if you think you met the right person.

Thank you to Anastasios and Antonia for sharing your love story!

‘How We Met’ celebrates the lifelong connections you made at Salford—whether that’s friendships, romance, or mentors who made a real difference.

Are you a student? Learn how to make connections and friends at uni on our Made in Salford blog.

Are you alumni? Share your story via our online form.     

THEN: Anastasios and Antonia at Castle Irwell Student Village in 1980
THEN: The happy couple at Anastasios’ graduation
NOW: The whole family. Anastasios, Antonia, their three children, cat and dog.