Like many great modern love stories, theirs started with a swipe.

In the fall of 2024, despite living well outside each other's dating app radius, Fabian in Los Angeles and Samira in South Orange County, they somehow found each other. From their very first conversations, they hit it off immediately. Samira wasn't shy about her intentions, and after a string of bad luck in dating, Fabian found her honesty refreshing, attractive, and exactly what he had been looking for.

After weeks of talking, Fabian finally made the trip down to Orange County for their first date in September 2024. The connection was immediate, and so was the attraction. There was no playing hard to get, no guessing games, and no wondering where things were headed. They simply knew. From that point on, they were inseparable.

The first year of their relationship was filled with a lot of miles and even more excitement. Almost every weekend, one of them was making the drive, Samira heading to Los Angeles or Fabian coming to Orange County. Somewhere between all those drives, late-night conversations, and weekend adventures, they built the foundation for the life they now share.

One of the things that made their relationship feel so special so quickly was how naturally they fit into each other's worlds. Samira was welcomed into Fabian's Argentinian Cuban family with open arms and quickly earned the title of "Tía Sami" to his nieces and nephews—a role she takes very seriously. In return, she found the kind of love and acceptance she had always hoped for in a partner's family.

Fabian didn't take long to win over Samira's Persian family either. As it turns out, food is the fastest way to a Persian family's heart. Between family gatherings, meals, and a shared love of great meat, Fabian fit right in. Food has always been a love language in Samira's family, and luckily for everyone involved, Fabian speaks it fluently.

They spent their first year making memories everywhere they could. They traveled to Las Vegas, San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Utah, and each trip became another chapter in their story. Along the way, they also made one of the best decisions of their relationship: adopting their dog, Noir. What started as adopting a puppy quickly turned into Noir, completely stealing their hearts and running the household while they happily accepted their roles as her devoted parents.

As their relationship grew, so did their life together. Fabian eventually moved into Samira's condo, and together they turned it into a home. Between family dinners, weekend getaways, life with Noir, and all the little moments in between, what started as two separate lives quickly became one shared life.

Las Vegas has always held a special place in their hearts. It was the destination of their very first trip together, and it's only fitting that they will return there to celebrate their wedding just around their two-year anniversary.

Palm Springs became special in a different way. After attending a close friend's wedding at the Parker Palm Springs, Samira knew she had to bring Fabian there. Over time, it became one of their favorite places to visit together and a place filled with some of their favorite memories. So, when they returned on June 20th, Samira thought it was simply another trip to one of their favorite places.

Fabian had other plans.

That day, at the Parker, he got down on one knee and asked Samira to marry him.

And, of course, she said yes.

What started as a swipe outside their dating radius became the greatest adventure of their lives. They are grateful for every mile traveled, every memory made, and every person who has been part of their journey. They can't wait to celebrate this next chapter surrounded by the people they love most.