Sometimes, the best Milken love stories begin after graduation, with a mutual friend, a night out in Los Angeles, and one very memorable mullet.

Emma Lipovetsky ’17 and Kyle Goldman ’17 both attended Milken, but their paths did not cross much while they were students. After graduating, Emma headed to UC Santa Cruz and Kyle to Union College. When they both graduated in 2021 and moved back to LA, their Milken world quietly brought them back into each other’s orbit.

A mutual friend from Milken reintroduced them at a gathering at his home after Emma had heard that Kyle had “gotten cute in college,” so she was open to the idea. But when she saw him that night, complete with a mullet and skinny jeans, she was not exactly convinced.

A few weeks later, Kyle texted Emma to hang out. This time, she was pleasantly surprised: the mullet was gone, the outfit had improved, and the spark was there. The rest, as they say, is history.

Funny enough, now that their wedding is over, Kyle is regrowing the mullet, and Emma does not hate it quite as much anymore. Love changes everything.

Milken’s role in their relationship extends far beyond the first reintroduction. Both Emma and Kyle remain very close with their core Milken friend groups, which continue to be a central part of their community. Their wedding reflected that same lasting connection: all of Kyle’s groomsmen went to Milken, and one of Emma’s bridesmaids was also one of her best friends from Milken.

The couple got married in Tennessee in June and in another meaningful Milken connection, the officiant was the mother of one of Emma’s friends from Milken.

Today, Emma and Kyle live in Iowa, where Kyle works as a college football coach. Emma is a social worker and therapist specializing in OCD. They love life in Iowa and the kindness of the people there, but they also love returning to Los Angeles whenever they can to reconnect with their Milken community.

For Emma, Milken’s impact feels especially meaningful. Though the beginning of her time there was not always easy, and making friends took time, she now feels deeply grateful for the experience. Milken strengthened her Jewish pride, gave her lifelong friendships, and, in the most unexpected way, led her to Kyle.