All, We have decided to host an informal gathering at our home to celebrate our matrimony with our immediate families. The number of guests will not exceed 25, so depending on state guidelines and personal preference, you are more than welcome to wear a mask to the event. Above all, we want everyone to remain safe and healthy. All our love, Arian & Leila

Dearest Family & Friends, Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the pandemic, we have made the difficult decision of canceling our wedding on October 3, 2020. Though we are heartbroken, please understand that we arrived at this decision for the safety of all of our friends and family. We will still be getting married on or before October 3rd, so rest assured that while the ceremony and reception are canceled, our love for each other is not, and neither is our marriage. Similar to the numerous other challenges we have faced together, we know we pull through this stronger than ever. Know that we carry you in our hearts on this special day and hope that we can celebrate in the future when it is safer for us to do so. Wishing you and your family good health, peace, and happiness until we meet again. With all our love, Arian & Leila

It should come as no surprise that our love began in a dental office, where our first conversation lasted no less than 1.5 hours - yes, Arian can be quite the talker! After a brief moment of locking eyes, we began talking and it became increasingly apparent that there was something there. We talked about everything ranging from our eerie similarities to what we wanted for our futures, and (obviously) our mutual love for rap and hiphop. It took a few tense weeks of working together before Leila's impatience showed through and she left her phone number on a post-it note, requested that the new doctor call the nonexistent patient who (shockingly!) shared the same number as her own, and snuck it on his desk before the end of the day. Arian knew by the smiley face that Leila had been up to something (per usual) and texted her later that day. What seemed to be a pretty typical day turned out to be the start of a relationship that will last us our lifetimes.

After a long 8-hour day spent in class on a Sunday, Arian set out to pick Leila up from Hopkins' Baltimore campus for what he said was a date to celebrate a recent financial milestone. Arian arrived late, stating that there was football traffic and appeared frantic. When they arrived at their supposed destination, they began walking toward Federal Hill. Realizing where they were, Leila asked Arian why they were walking toward the hill away from the restaurants on the main drag. "There's a new restaurant that opened up on the hill that I want to stop at first to have a drink before dinner." Not thinking about the lack of restaurants or businesses on top of Federal Hill, Leila was excited to see the “new one” that apparently just opened! Climbing up the hill, Leila blabbered on about something she learned in class as Arian smiled from cheek-to-cheek, not listening to a word she was saying. Nearing the edge of Federal Hill, Arian turned to Leila and said, “Isn’t it beautiful?” referring to the Baltimore skyline. Leila quickly barked, “Not as beautiful as Pittsburgh’s skyline!” Stumbling for words, Arian barked back, “No, Baltimore’s skyline is definitely more beautiful than Pittsburgh’s!” This argument continued for about two minutes before Arian finally had enough. Looking over at Arian in preparation to defend her native town, Leila noticed Arian’s eyes began to water and she thought she really upset him by her claims against the Baltimore skyline. She quickly reached out to hug him, not knowing what was about to ensue. “What would make this view more beautiful,” he said as he got down on one knee, “…is if you’d marry me.” Taken aback by the bling, Leila exclaimed, “Of course!” and an applause broke out from the passersby on the hill. Turning around to see everyone clapping, Leila spotted Arian’s close friend Akin behind a tree taking pictures, and quickly learned that the day had been meticulously planned.