Each year, Arbor Day highlights the importance of trees, but it’s also a chance to reflect on the stories that grow around them. 

In Texas, the Century Tree at Texas A&M University stands as more than just a campus landmark—it’s a symbol of love, tradition, and lasting commitment. For generations, couples have walked beneath its branches and started lifelong journeys together. Here, three Aggie couples share how one iconic tree became part of their love story.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1872 in the Nebraska Territory. As pioneer settlers moved to Nebraska, they noticed a lack of trees. They needed trees for building materials, fuel for fires, and shade, among other things. A newspaper editor in Nebraska proposed “Arbor Day” as a way to educate the public about the value of trees and to encourage people to plant trees. More than one million trees were planted that day. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day with the planting of trees.

Beyond their importance as a natural resource, trees often hold deep personal meaning, serving as markers of shared history and memories passed down through generations. Texas is home to several famous trees with stories of their own, including Treaty Oak, where legend says Native Americans and early settlers once negotiated; the Surrender Tree at the Battle of San Jacinto, where Santa Anna surrendered to Sam Houston; and the Century Tree on the campus of Texas A&M University.

The Century Tree, located near the Academic Building, is more than a century old and steeped in tradition. Legend has it that the Century Tree brings good luck to couples who walk beneath its branches. Over time, that belief has grown into a romantic ritual: couples who walk under the tree together are said to be destined for marriage, and proposals made there are believed to result in a marriage that lasts forever.

In honor of Arbor Day, Texas Lifestyle Magazine brings you the stories of three Texas A&M University couples who pledged their love to each other underneath the iconic Century Tree.

Tiffany and Dave Inbody

Tiffany Inbody can’t remember the exact date that she and Dave became engaged, but it was likely late March, right before Easter.  “This August, we celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary,” she says.

Tiffiny’s love story is somewhat comical, yet full of love. “Dave knew the story of the Century Tree – Any couple who gets engaged under it will be together for 100 years. He wanted to surprise me, so he arranged for us to play racquetball at the rec center that evening. I wanted to get a workout in before racquetball, so I worked out for at least half an hour before. I was good and sweaty, waiting for him at the court. 

“As I was warming up, two of Dave’s Corp sophomores were knocking on the glass of the court (my first clue about something different). They were wearing their midnights (dressy uniforms for the Corps of Cadets) at night, trying to get my attention. I waved and kept warming up, but they were persistent. They asked me to go with them, and they drove me to the Century Tree where Dave’s buddies, my roommates, and friends from the campus newspaper were waiting. And I was in old workout clothes and sweating – Yikes! So, those photos (thank goodness for film) are under lock and key,” Tiffany somewhat embarrassingly shares.

Tiffany and Dave, then both 21, committed themselves to each other underneath the Century Tree at a young age – “Just kids, now that we have young adult children,” she says. “We have three kids – oldest son, a junior at Tarleton State University; a daughter, a freshman at Texas A&M University; and our youngest son in eighth grade in College Station.”

Their wedding on Aug. 9, 1997, was large. “We were the first grandkids on both sides to get married, so for our families, it was a large wedding. It was in August in Texas, so it was completely indoors. We were married in the Methodist church in Bryan. The reception was at the faculty club on campus on the top floor of Rudder Tower. It was a beautiful, if not very warm, evening.”

Tiffany and Dave are both graduates of the class 1997. Tiffany majored in biology and Dave majored in wildlife and fisheries. Dave is now retired from the US Army and Tiffany works at Texas A&M in the Division of Research.

Tiffany says that getting engaged under the Century Tree gave a little snapshot of her and Dave as a couple that they could not have seen at the time. “Dave reached out to my friends and co-workers and wanted to share the event of getting engaged with our people. He wanted to give me a surprise, and I am maybe a little hard to surprise. So, he used my need for a schedule to get me to a specific location. And he did not care that I wasn’t dressed up or at all prepared for a big event in our life together. It hit all the parts for the evening. He surprised me, friends were involved, and I got my workout done, all under a beautiful symbol of our campus with enough hope and love to last a century. So far, so good.”

Wayne and JaNaya Johnson

Aggie graduate Wayne Johnson and his wife JaNaya, were both 22 when they were engaged underneath the Century Tree on Feb. 14, 1996. They have been married for 29 years. Wayne said that they are both dedicated Aggies and love all Aggie traditions, including getting engaged under the Century Tree.

“We had a medium-sized wedding. It was at First Baptist Church, in Nederland, Texas, where we got to know each other as teenagers. A thunderstorm blew in right before the ceremony and all our guests got soaked. JaNaya and I were already inside and were totally oblivious to the downpour (We were on cloud nine!) until we saw all our friends and family in wet clothes at the reception.”

Wayne graduated from A&M in 1995 and majored in telecommunications engineering technology. JaNaya graduated in 1996 with a major in international studies. They have seven children, ages 10 through 26. “We live and work in Aggieland and enjoy serving in our church, spending time with family, and attending Aggie football games.”

Wayne shares that getting engaged underneath the Century Tree seemed the right thing to do at the time. “Being a die-hard Aggie, I didn’t even think about doing it anywhere else. I left a note on her door the morning of Valentine’s Day, asking her to meet me at the Sul Ross statue on campus, right next to the Century Tree. My plan was to wait for her on the steps of Bolton Hall. A path connects those steps to the statute with the Century Tree right in the middle. A note would be waiting for JaNaya at Sul Ross, asking her to meet me under the Century Tree because I had something to ask her. 

“Earlier that day, I searched all over town for a dozen white roses, JaNaya’s favorite flower, and a little before the appointed time, I placed them on the bench under the tree. I had planned for us to both walk toward each other and meet at the bench under the tree where I would give her the flowers and kneel with ring in hand. All was going according to plan until just before JaNaya was to show up.

“Suddenly, two young lady Aggies walked down the path, stopped and looked at my flowers, picked them up and proceeded to saunter off in the opposite direction. In a panic, I chased them down, retrieved my flowers and repositioned them right before JaNaya reached the statue and read my note! I have no idea what they were thinking trying to steal my flowers. With heart racing, due to more than my unexpected sprint, everything else went according to plan. And she said, “YES!” We now have a place to which we can return year after year to remember–-and laugh–-about that special day.”

Robin Nelson-Springstead and Chris Springstead

Robin Nelson-Springstead and husband, Chris, got engaged on March 30, 2024, underneath the Century Tree. “We have actually been married for almost 10 months – our wedding was May 31, 2025,” Robin shares.

Robin and Chris share with thousands of other Aggies a love for Texas A&M University. “Texas A&M holds a very special place in both our hearts. The Aggie core values are central to both our identities; we first met on campus during my senior year and Chris’ final year of graduate studies. When it came time to get engaged, Chris, age 25, and I, age 24, said that it only makes sense that we step into the new chapter of our lives on the campus where it started. 

“We were also very excited to lean into the tradition of only walking underneath the tree with your true love. Getting engaged underneath the Century Tree is very symbolic of our love for one another, our love for Texas A&M, and the unwavering commitment we make to each other,” Robin said.

Their wedding was huge. “Our wedding was the biggest party we’ve ever thrown. Both our parents and grandparents were very supportive of making the day everything we had ever dreamed of. We were surrounded by loved ones at Peach Creek Ranch, a beautiful venue in College Station. We got married outdoors during golden hour, and, afterward, moved inside for dinner and reception. In addition to celebrating our marriage, we paid tribute to our beloved Texas A&M by ending the night with the War Hymn. It was the most memorable day of our lives, and we often talk about how much we wish we could relive it. It was beautiful, and I wouldn’t change a single detail,” Robin says.

Chris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science in 2021 and a Master’s in Computer Science in 2022. Robin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication Media Studies in 2022.

Robin shares that marriage couldn’t be going better. “Our love for each other grows each day and there is no one with whom I would rather experience life. Christ is my best friend, and I feel fortunate to have him by my side. Also, we are very content professionally. Chris works as a Software Developer for Interlock Solutions, and I serve as the Director of Marketing & Communications for Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Because of my role on campus and Chris’ ability to work remotely, we are fortunate to stay in Aggieland full time. We are truly living the Aggie dream, and we couldn’t be more thankful.”

Arbor Day is a reminder that trees aren’t just part of the scenery—they’re part of our stories. Beneath the Century Tree, these couples started something that’s still growing today. Just like the trees planted long ago, their relationships have taken root and grown stronger over time.

“Trees”

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the Earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

~ Joyce Kilmer

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Cover photo courtesy Wendi Baird

Minnie Payne grew up in South Carolina but because of her husband’s government job, lived in many different U.S. cities. Having lived in Texas 38 years, she claims it as home and appreciates the many opportunities and advantages that the Lone Star State provides.