Although they did not get their start at a concert, one ISU couple’s relationship is built upon music.

Music has played a part in the relationship of Meg Songer, sophomore in open option-Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Tyler Stafford, sophomore in pre-advertising, since high school.

Songer and Stafford, who have been together for more than two years, find happiness in their relationship on all levels.

“We are both emotional, and he is the first person I go to when I have a serious issue to deal with,” Songer said. “Our relationship is fun, spontaneous, mature, serious and emotional.”

Both Songer and Stafford lead busy lives, making it difficult to spend large amounts of time together. However, when they’re together, they are usually “on the go,” Stafford said.

The couple agreed that much of the time they spend together involves music. Each time they are in the car, they take turns picking songs they can both sing to.

“We like to pick the ones we can harmonize to,” Songer said.

Relient K, Cas Haley, Wolfmother, Vampire Weekend, Backstreet Boys, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson are among the list of many bands both Songer and Stafford enjoy.

Songer said it’s a three-way tie between “Better Together” by Jack Johnson, “The Best Thing” by Relient K and “One and Only” by Teitur to describe their bond. She said “True” by Ryan Cabrera was “their song” when they started dating and has continued to serve as the anthem for their relationship since.

Two years ago the pair attended a concert of Plain White T’s, marking their first-ever concert together.

“It was the best concert we’ve been to,” Songer said. “They were both of our favorite band at the time.”

The duo agreed music is a necessary component that should serve in every relationship.

“Music lets both partners loosen up and relate to each other in a totally different way,” Songer said. “It’s a nice outlet.”

Songer and Stafford use music in a fun way to celebrate special occasions or if one of them have just gone through a tough situation. For either of these circumstances, the couple will slow dance to jazz music.

“These are special times for us because they always come at the resolution of an unsettling situation or when we are celebrating each other,” Songer said.

Whenever Songer is sad or stressed about something, Stafford “lays down a beat for me and makes me improvise a rap on the spot,” Songer said. “The results are always hilarious and brighten me up right away. He knows me well and knows how to take care of me.”

The pair reminisced about the early part of their relationship.

“There were so many times in the beginning of our relationship that I didn’t know how to say what I was feeling,” Stafford said. “At those times I would just turn to song and give them to Meg so she could understand a little better.”

Stafford turned to music about a year-and-a-half ago. Songer and Stafford had been dating for eight months at the time and “we assumed we would go to prom together, but Tyler still wanted to ask me,” she said.

“One day at lunch I was sitting there, surrounded by hundreds of other students, and in came Tyler, acoustic guitar in hand and a big, nervous smile on his face,” Songer said. “I immediately knew something was up, but I didn’t know what. He came and sat down next to me and started playing on his guitar and singing to me,” she said.

Stafford went beyond the ordinary in asking Songer to their high school prom.

“I changed the lyrics from ‘all I want to do is grow old with you’ from ‘The Wedding Singer,’ to ‘all I want to do is go to prom with you,’” Stafford said. Both Stafford and Songer cherish the moment as one of their favorite memories.

The couple define music as one of the many aspects that have made their relationship genuine and full of joy. They share the belief that the key to a truly successful relationship is mutual respect, trust, communication, friendship and lightheartedness.

“I personally believe that if two people respect and trust each other, all other components of a successful relationship will fall into place,” Songer said.

To view Tyler’s “Prom Song” video, search “Cute Prom Song” on YouTube.

Band featured in movie “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” to play at M-Shop

Bishop Allen, with The Republic Tigers and The Electric Owls

8 p.m. Sunday

M-Shop

$10 for students, $13 for public – $1 day of show increase

Meg Songer, sophomore in open option-Liberal Arts and Sciences, plans to attend the Bishop Allen concert Sunday at the M-Shop. The indie alternative band appeared in “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” performing their single, “Middle Management.” Songer recommended the song “Butterfly Nets” from their newest album, “The Broken String” and “Empire City” from “Charm School.” Tyler Stafford, sophomore in pre-advertising, said he enjoys their single, ‘Click Click Click Click.’ Songs from both albums will be played at the concert as part of Bishop Allen’s tour.

“Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” is a comedy about two musically inclined high school students from New York, questioning many aspects of their lives. Nick (Michael Cerca), lead singer of indie band The Jerkoffs, runs into Norah (Kat Dennings) at one of his shows. Their accidental rendezvous results in an all-night quest to find their favorite band and this newly discovered relationship could change both of their lives.