A young family from Utah is navigating college life while raising their 2-year-old baby among classmates

Few babies grow up around textbooks, late-night study sessions, and rugby practice - but for one Utah couple, college life has made parenting a uniquely communal experience.

Riho and Keali'iholo'okoa Maruyama welcomed their now-2-year-old daughter, Hinami (Nami), while working to finish their respective degrees.

What started as a journey marked by academic deadlines and part-time jobs has grown into a tight-knit support system of classmates, teammates, friends, and family.

Riho, a Hawaii native, and her husband, who grew up in Nevada, both play rugby and enjoy being active. However, when Riho found out she was eight weeks pregnant during her senior year of college, she decided to take a break from the field.

"I had just wrapped up our last practice before the season opener when I decided to take a pregnancy test and ended up taking four more because I couldn't believe the result," Riho, 26, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

With some lifestyle adjustments, she and her husband forged ahead, supported by what they fondly call their "village" -- a blend of college friends, relatives attending school nearby, and church families who all pitched in when it came to childcare, emotional support, and encouragement.

"Our situation wasn't something we planned, but it worked out beautifully," Riho admits. After becoming parents, the couple's goals shifted, and they decided to remain in school.

Keali'iholo'okoa has a degree in emergency services and a paramedic certification, but chose to continue his education for broader career options. Riho got her bachelor's degree in exercise science and is now studying marketing to pursue new professional interests.

Their living situation might seem unconventional, with their baby growing up among a group of college students, but in this environment, Nami has thrived. "She's well-loved and cared for by so many people. If anything, she might be a little spoiled by her 'college aunties and uncles,'" Riho reveals. "Nami is cheerful, observant, adaptable, and flexible."

However, with ever-changing class schedules and work shifts, structure can be hard to come by. Still, the young couple has found their rhythm - even if it doesn't follow the typical routine most parents aim for. "She still manages two naps a day, sleeps in while we handle morning tasks, and adjusts easily to changes," Riho shares.

There have been hurdles, of course. Studying with a toddler underfoot isn't easy, and training sessions had to be restructured so that one parent could stay behind. "We've had to give up some spontaneity," Riho explains. "My husband and I used to train together, but now we take turns while the other watches Nami."

Despite the sacrifices, the family has found joy in the daily chaos, made lighter by the people around them. Friends and teammates regularly stop by after class to visit Nami, and boundaries around discipline and parenting roles are respected.

"Our friends respect our boundaries and always check with us before doing anything," Riho says. "We've also allowed them to help teach her when she misbehaves, but we maintain our role as the primary disciplinarians."

Two of their college "sisters" live in the basement apartment, while Riho, Keali'iholo'okoa, and Nami live in a separate apartment upstairs. Even though their other friends live in nearby college dorms or off-campus apartments, their unit has become the central gathering spot for everyone.

Their unique setup has also helped with the emotional weight of parenting. "Thankfully, I didn't suffer from postpartum depression and had a quick recovery thanks to the love and encouragement we received," she tells PEOPLE.

To return the favor, Riho and her husband host weekly family dinners for their support crew as a way to give back to the people who have stood by them. "We absolutely recommend having kids - being parents has been the biggest blessing in our lives," she says. "Raising a child is hard work, but with faith in God and a strong support system, it becomes a beautiful journey."