VCU Couple's 21-Year Love Story Began with No Photo & Shared Degrees

From Match.com to Multiple Degrees: A VCU Love Story and the Future of Modern Relationships

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Joel Gill and Jonathan Moore's story, recently featured in VCU News, offers a heartwarming glimpse into a 21-year relationship forged through online dating and nurtured by a shared academic journey at Virginia Commonwealth University. Their connection, beginning with a profile lacking a photo on Match.com in 2004, highlights evolving trends in how people meet, the increasing importance of education in partnership dynamics, and the growing acceptance of diverse relationships.

Why it matters

The couple's journey from an initial Match.com connection to accumulating seven VCU degrees between them reflects broader societal shifts in how people meet, the role of higher education in relationships, and the growing acceptance of diverse partnerships. Their story offers insights into the evolving landscape of modern relationships.

The details

Gill and Moore's initial connection via Match.com predates the dominance of swipe-based dating apps, with their willingness to connect despite the absence of a photo speaking to a focus on personality and potential. Their shared educational pursuits, including graduate research and career changes, highlight a growing trend where individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to marry and stay married. The couple's dual-career paths as a biology professor and a nurse anesthesia doctoral student exemplify the rise of dual-career couples, which presents unique challenges in terms of time management, career support, and equitable division of labor.

  • Gill and Moore connected on Match.com in 2004.
  • Moore came out at VCU in 2001 and was met with acceptance.

The players

Joel Gill

A nursing student and doctoral candidate in nurse anesthesia at VCU.

Jonathan Moore

A biology professor at VCU.

VCU

Virginia Commonwealth University, where Gill and Moore met and accumulated multiple degrees.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Constant communication and, if needed, seeking professional help through couple's therapy.”

— Jonathan Moore, Biology Professor (VCU News)

What’s next

The couple plans to continue their academic and professional pursuits while maintaining their strong relationship through open communication and, if necessary, seeking couple's therapy.

The takeaway

Gill and Moore's story highlights the evolving landscape of modern relationships, where shared educational pursuits, dual-career paths, and a focus on communication and therapy can contribute to long-term compatibility and success. Their journey serves as an inspiring example of how diverse partnerships can thrive in inclusive environments like VCU.