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

In the fall of 2024, despite living well outside each other's dating app radius—me in South Orange County and Fabian in Los Angeles—we somehow found each other. From our very first conversations, we hit it off immediately. I wasn't shy about my intentions, and after a string of bad luck in dating, Fabian found that 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 our 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. We simply knew. From that point on, we were inseparable.

Our first year together was filled with a lot of miles and even more excitement. Almost every weekend, one of us was making the drive—one heading north, the other heading south. Somewhere between all those drives, late-night conversations, and weekend adventures, we built the foundation for the life we share today.

Samira: One of the things I loved most was how naturally I fit into Fabian's family. They welcomed me with open arms, and before I knew it, I had earned the title of "Tía Sami" to his nieces and nephews—a role I take very seriously. It was the kind of love and acceptance I had always hoped to find in a partner's family.

Fabian: Watching Samira become "Tía Sami" so effortlessly made me realize just how perfectly she fit into my world. And when it came to her family, I learned pretty quickly that the fastest way to a Persian family's heart is through food. Between family gatherings, incredible meals, and our shared love of great meat, I felt right at home. Food has always been a love language in her family, and I was more than happy to speak it.

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

As our relationship grew, so did our life together. Fabian eventually moved into my condo, and together we 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 our hearts. It was the destination of our very first trip together, and it's only fitting that we'll be returning there to celebrate our wedding just around our two-year anniversary.

Palm Springs became special in a different way.

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

Fabian: She had no idea I had something much bigger planned.

That day, at the Parker, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

Samira: Of course, I said yes.

What started as a swipe outside our dating radius became the greatest adventure of our lives. We are so grateful for every mile traveled, every memory made, and every person who has been part of our journey. We can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.