The Titan Dining Room, Chemistry Building and Gardella Honors House are woven into the love story of Salar Brikho ’20 and Melinda Dickow ’19, ’23.
After a morning of sweaty community work during freshman orientation in the fall of 2016, they said hello at the TDR during one of their first meals. Before long, the two became close friends, then chemistry lab partners, and officially started dating on March 8, 2017, at The Melting Pot.
As students of the College of Engineering & Science, Brikho, a biochemistry major, and Dickow, a biology major, who also completed UDM’s Dentistry program, their love for each other blossomed in a chemistry lab while they analyzed organic chemistry reactions as members of The Mio Research Group.
“We took a lot of the same classes and had similar goals. It was nice to have someone in my corner supporting me and pushing me to be better,” said Dickow of their time in the Chemistry Building.
Brikho accepted the opportunity his freshman year to join a vibrant Honors community and was given a key to the Gardella Honors House, one of the unique features of the University Honors Program. An intimate study and hangout space for all Honors students, Gardella fosters community and identity for students enrolled in the program.
This key was perhaps also the key to Dickow’s heart. Throughout their tenure on the McNichols Campus, Brikho said that Gardella “was our favorite study spot.”
“We shared many tears, laughs, hours studying, deep conversations and sentimental moments there. Many power naps and post-exam celebrations with friends took place there as well,” Dickow explained.
“Most importantly, the Gardella House is where we first said, ‘I love you,'” added Brikho.
What better spot to ask for Dickow’s hand in marriage?
Gardella Honors House was indeed the perfect spot for a betrothal. Brikho presented his idea to Professors of English Stephen Pasqualina and Nick Rombes, then co-directors of the University Honors Program, who were planning some renovations to the space. “They were not sure if it would be ready, so I tried to help out and cleaned the space up a bit,” he said.
“Salar was the president of the Honors Program, so naturally he was always protective of the Gardella,” said Dickow. “He wouldn’t even let us wash the chalkboards with water in fear of them getting moldy.”
Though his romantic gesture at this endearing setting would be a bit of an undertaking, it was one that Brikho welcomed.
“The week of the proposal, I moved all of the furniture in Gardella to the Warren Loranger Architecture Building in order to set up the space,” he said.
He also gives credit for the execution of his plan to his sister, Reema Brikho ’13, ’17, and brother, Yousif Brikho ’17, ’21. They both helped create the magical setting beneath the stained-glass windows of Gardella House.
On May 25, 2024, Brikho nervously bent his knee amid sprays of white roses and warmly lit candles and popped the question. Dickow said yes.
The surprise element was definitely a big factor in Brikho’s proposal. “Melinda had a subtle idea that I was proposing in that time frame. The second I took the McNichols exit off I-75, she knew exactly what was happening,” he said.
“Melinda knows me so well. She always had a feeling that I would propose outside of the Gardella Honor House, but I threw her off by proposing inside of the building,” Brikho added.
“Seeing Gardella transformed with flowers and candles was very touching. It was beautiful to create a new special memory in a place where we shared so many good ones,” Dickow said.
Returning to campus on the day of the proposal reminded the couple of how enjoyable, challenging and fulfilling it was navigating their way to adulthood while enrolled at UDM.
“I’m extremely thankful to Detroit Mercy for allowing me to grow into a well-rounded adult, get my dream career and meet so many amazing mentors, friends and a very special life partner along the way,” said Dickow.
Anticipating what married life will look like for the pair, Brikho, who is currently an internal medicine resident at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, is eager to experience the different stages of life with his bride.
“In the past seven years, we’ve both been extremely busy with school, work and life, so I am very excited to live together and hopefully have some free time to travel and experience the world together,” he explained.
“Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to be able to grow up with Salar during some of the most formative years of our lives,” explained Dickow. “I look forward to continuing our journey and growing old together.”
The couple will tie the knot on Oct. 17, 2025. Though the 36-by-15-foot Gardella House is probably too small a venue for this momentous event, it will remain near and dear to these sweethearts as the place where their love took root.
There are many love stories that began at U of D. In the 70s the fraternities posted notices of parties at the Grace Hospital School of Nursing. It was at one of those gatherings I met my husband of 49 years. He likes to say if he was a better student we would not have met since he planned to leave the gathering in the early evening. God had other plans . We were married in the Commerce and Finance Chapel by Father Walters the following year.