Itay and Talya met at Highland Market at the University of Arizona. He was speaking with his Dad on the phone in Hebrew, loudly as an Israeli does, and a sound of home made Talya's head turn instantly. Both had come from Israel, each chasing their own passion in Tucson, Itay an Optical Engineer Major, Talya a tennis athlete. Over six years, their friendship grew steady, supportive, and full of unspoken care, though never quite crossing into something more. After graduation, Talya moved to Hawaii to continue playing tennis, in a tropical scenery instead of the warm desert; meanwhile, Itay stayed in Arizona to finish his studies. A family trip to Hawaii reunited them, and soon after, they both found themselves living in the Bay Area. This time, the timing was right. The friendship deepened into love. Three months into their relationship, Itay moved to Maryland for his PhD. Talya joined him soon after, and they made a home together. They got a golden doodle named Maple, filled their days with laughter and early Crossfit workouts, and built a life that felt like home in every way. One summer evening, on a beautiful hike, Itay proposed. With Maple by their side and tears in their eyes, they said yes to forever. Their wedding is planned for November 9th, 2025, a celebration of friendship, timing, and love that waited patiently to bloom.