It was late spring 2020. Love was in the air… and so was COVID. Jennifer had just moved back to California, hopeful she might meet the person she’d spend her life with. Nezam, meanwhile, was ready to settle down and plant roots of his own. So, like many that year, they turned to online dating—and one day in May, on a five-inch screen, they both swiped right. Jennifer will tell you she knew right away Nezam was different. Maybe even the one. They messaged for a few days… until Jennifer suddenly stopped replying. The truth? She was a little scared. Nezam seemed like everything she had been hoping for—and the timing felt almost too good to be true. Four months later, while watching a 49ers game with her family, Jennifer found herself thinking about him—the guy she liked who loved football. Realizing she might have let something special slip away, she checked the app, relieved to see his profile was still there, and sent a message: “Is it safe to assume you’ve been taken?” Nezam replied no—he had assumed she was the one who had found someone. They exchanged numbers and started texting every day. Within a week, they decided they liked each other enough to risk standing within six feet of one another and planned their first date. On September 30th, under an overcast coastal sky, Nezam picked up Jennifer and drove to High Tide Café in Pacifica for an outdoor lunch. Jennifer, of course, forgot her mask—something Nezam would soon learn was very on-brand (keys, wallet, phone… all frequent casualties). They spent hours talking over lunch and along the beach, sharing stories about their past, the lives they had built, and what they both hoped for in the future. By the end of the day, it was clear this was something special. As Nezam dropped Jennifer off, he hugged her and said he’d like to see her again. By October 8th, they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Not long after, COVID brought them even closer—literally. The world started shutting down again and they began sheltering in place together, quickly becoming work from home coworkers, disc golf partners, DIY renovation buddies, and most importantly, partners in building a life together. Somewhere between the everyday moments and the unexpected ones, they fell deeply in love.
In the weeks leading up to the proposal, Nezam did lots of secret coordinating with Jennifer’s family. Jennifer’s brother, Brandon, called to ask if he could spend a particular weekend at their loft in Oakland because he missed them and their dog, Trey. Of course, Jennifer agreed and was excited to plan a fun weekend. In the days ahead, Nezam suggested they have Brandon dog sit so the two of them could spend the day on Angel Island before attending a real estate event on Treasure Island to tour the new condos. Jennifer wasn’t having it. Her brother wanted to spend time with them and she wasn’t going to take advantage of him. Little did she know this was all part of their plan. She reluctantly agreed and Brandon assured her he would be perfectly fine. Jennifer’s mom took her to get her nails done and Jennifer never suspected a thing. Jennifer unknowingly continued to sabotage Nezam's proposal. On the morning of the proposal she woke up not feeling well and didn't want to hike Angel Island. It took much convincing, but she made it out the door. Not before long she broke a nail. Nezam oddly showed just enough interest and concern for Jennifer to feel validated but not grow suspicious. They arrived at the the San Francisco Ferry Building, grabbed coffee and breakfast, and walked along the pier before boarding a ferry to Angel Island. The morning was quiet and still, slowly becoming the perfect day -- just the two of them. Jennifer had no idea her life was soon about to change. Nezam insisted they were the first ones off the ferry to begin their hike. Jennifer didn't understand this obsession with being the first off the ferry, but she obliged. As they power hiked, Nezam explained the significance of Angel Island, the Ellis Island of the West, as they are both from immigrant families. Passed old, ruined buildings and nestled below the trees, they arrived at their destination, Hidden Beach. They had the perfect view of Jennifer's hometown, San Francisco, to the right, and Oakland, Nezam's city and where they both called home, to the left. Nezam suggested they take a picture. He propped his camera against a log and led Jennifer toward the waves. They posed for a few photos and then suddenly Nezam got down on one knee and asked Jennifer if she would marry him. Of course, Jennifer said "Yes." They celebrated and continued their long hike around the island before being rushed to catch the first ferry back to the city. Upon landing back in San Francisco, they quickly changed and headed straight to Treasure Island. Upon walking into the old Pan American terminal, they were greeted in celebration by an intimate group of close family and friends.