Every day, thousands of strangers gather together to ride UTA. Some keep to themselves, some make new friends, and some, like Steven Seril and Diana Mavlanova, fall in love.

In September 2017, Steven was recovering from a challenging few years. He had been struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident on May 14, 2016. In addition to suffering severe physical injuries, he also lost many of his memories. He and his longtime girlfriend split up shortly after the accident. With his family thousands of miles away in his native Hawaii, Steven struggled through the healing process by himself.

“I couldn’t even pour myself a bowl of cereal,” he said. “I was literally alone, trying to heal from this horrific accident.”

Once he was strong enough, Steven threw himself into powerlifting to help his mind and body recover. He quickly became a state champion and is known for practicing in dress clothes. It was on the way home from a gym in Midvale when he found that his TRAX trip would be delayed.

“The train stopped at Meadowbrook [Station] and couldn’t go any further. We took a bus bridge to Ballpark, and everyone was tired and grumpy. I took my gym bag and plopped it on one of the planters, and then this beautiful, unbelievable, angel-like woman puts her grocery bag down across from me.”

The two struck up a conversation. Originally from Turkmenistan, Diana was working in Utah as a critical care technician.

“She worked in the respiratory ICU, caring for the most critical patients. It was the darkest thing, but she took it in stride, and when I heard her talking I could tell the strength of her character,” Steven said.

Diana recalls Steven striking up a conversation about her shirt, which said “Skiing Association”.

“I knew that he wasn’t that interested in skiing and he just wanted to talk to me,” she said.

From there, the two continued their journey on TRAX up to the University of Utah. Steven knew that he should stay focused on an upcoming powerlifting competition, but his heart and mind had other ideas.

“I’m just thinking, I’m so glad this bus and train went on detour,” he said.

They both exited at Stadium Station, Steven helped Diana carry her groceries home and they exchanged social media information. The two started a friendship based on their mutual love of physical fitness – Diana teaches yoga classes in her spare time – but their relationship remained platonic. Because of Diana’s cultural beliefs, she only wanted to date if she was sure she was going to marry that person.

The duo continued spending much of their free time together, and by Christmas 2017, Steven decided to pop the question. The day was significant for both of them, as each had individually had a lonely Christmas the year before. He took her to the First Baptist Church on 900 E. 1300 South where he had once lived as a sexton, turned on all the Christmas lights and asked her to be his wife.

Diana said that she needed time to consider the proposal, but told Steven that they could start to date and she would give him her answer when she graduated from nursing school.

Steven counted down the days until her May 14th graduation.

“She said, ‘Do you want to know my decision? Marry me.’”

The two were married in front of friends and family on July 7, 2018, just shy of a year before they’d first met.

 

Steven and Diana

 

“Everything came together for the best,” Steven said. “It’s been a miracle, and I feel so blessed. I always thought I’d ride off into the sunset and everything would be okay. There are still ups and downs, but now I have a partner to fight battles with – to take on the world with.”

Does the couple who met on UTA still ride UTA? Absolutely. Steven said he rides almost every day of the week – but now he usually has Diana by his side, napping on his shoulder.

Select Language: