It all began on September 25, 2023, in the heart of Istanbul - a city that beautifully bridges two continents, just like how fate somehow managed to bridge our two worlds. We met through a mutual friend, not knowing that one introduction would change everything. What started as a friendly conversation and walk through Sultanahmet quickly turned into something far more special. From that day on, we talked every single day - closing the distance between us one message at a time. After three and a half months, Amanda returned to Istanbul, and what had begun as a spark across continents became something truly real. Over the next year, our connection only deepened. We navigated time zones, long flights, and countless airport hellos and goodbyes - but somehow, every moment apart made us even more certain about our future together. Whether we were sharing tea in Istanbul or late-night calls from Chicago, we always found our way back to each other. Eventually, Baran immigrated to the United States, and our long-distance story finally became a shared everyday life - one filled with laughter, love, and a lot fewer time zones. Now, exactly three years later - on September 25, 2026 - we’ll celebrate by saying “I do” in Missouri, surrounded by family and friends who have loved and supported us along the way. From a chance meeting in one of the most magical cities in the world to a lifetime together - our story is a reminder that love truly knows no borders.