We’re getting married!!

In the spring of 2018, Bayan and Annette first met on the volleyball court at Intel. Bayan was a few years into his career and Annette was in the first few months of her internship. Annette was scoping out a volleyball partner to compete with in the annual Seaside tournament when Bayan caught her eye. They became volleyball partners, but it wasn’t until they exchanged faith backgrounds that they began to become close. Very quickly they realized that this was something special. They became inseperable and at the end of Annette’s internship, they began a long-distance relationship. Fast forward to 2019 and Annette moves back into town and they are reunited. Through many family dinners, service opportunities, hangouts with friends, religious events, and dates, they reaffirmed what they had felt every step of the way: they wanted to spend forever together. Annette and Bayan are partners in the Baha’i faith, role models to each other, confidants, advocates, and best friends. They are ecstatic to become husband and wife and can’t wait to share the start of this journey with all of you.

Background: In the Baha'i Faith, both individuals seeking to get married ask for consent together, from each set of parents. This law is intended to promote unity within the family dynamic, which is a core principle of the Faith. Therefore, Bayan and Annette asked and received consent from all 4 parents prior to the engagement. As a result of this consent process, Annette was aware that a proposal was on the horizon, however the exact timing of this proposal was something that Bayan tried to keep a surprise. Story: On Saturday November 23, 2019, Bayan picked up Annette for a date without telling her where they were going. As the car pulled up to the Melting Pot restaurant in downtown Portland, Annette became very excited as she had been asking to go there for months. The two enjoyed a private and romantic dinner together, but the proposal did not happen there. After dinner, the two drove along the waterfront, where Annette continuously attempted to guess where they were going next. To her surprise, they parked and went up an elevator where there was a helicopter waiting for them. They had a beautiful tour around the city just after sunset, but once again the proposal did not happen. Bayan continued to keep her guessing. Once the helicopter tour was complete without a proposal, Annette was convinced the night was over and that a proposal was not going to come on this day. However, Bayan had one more surprise left. After passing the highway exit to go home, he continued driving until they eventually ended up at a park in Hillsboro where they had their first date. In the middle of a stroll together around the lake, Bayan presented Annette a poem he had written for her, which ended with a very important question. With tears of joy coming down her face she said, "YES!"