Mont-Royal, March 2021: Our story began on a dating app, where three weeks of endless conversation led us to meet in person on Mont Royal during the pandemic. With sleeping bags to keep warm in the March chill, Laura was radiant and beautiful, while Farnood’s quiet elegance and mystery stood out. As we climbed to the peak, we got lost in conversation—talking about life, history, and politics—and completely forgot about our plan to grab coffee. By the time we reached the top, it wasn’t just the view that took our breath away; it was the connection we’d found in each other.

Farnood’s Side: One evening, Laura’s parents called, saying they’d arrive in 10 minutes. Farnood, in full survival mode, grabbed his things and fled to his car, waiting for the all-clear. But as time dragged on, he was about to bail—until Laura decided, why not now? And just like that, the great introduction happened. Laura’s Side: While Farnood picked up things from his parents' place, Laura waited in the car—until his mom spotted her. A warm invite, some Persian dessert, and a lovely chat later, Laura was officially part of the family. And that’s how we met the parents—one escape attempt and a bowl of Faloodeh Bastani at a time.

For Halloween, we decided to escape to Toronto, even though we were both feeling terribly sick. Farnood had planned to say "I love you" for the first time during the trip. One evening, on our way to a fancy Italian restaurant, he looked into Laura's eyes and meant to say, "I love your eyes," but instead blurted out, "I love you... your eyes." Laura was caught off guard, especially because she had been feeling the same way. Two days later, as we headed back to Montreal, both still under the weather, Farnood finally said it clearly: "I love you, Laura." And with a smile, she replied, "I love you too."

We had a wild idea—bring both our families together for a hike up Mont Sutton. Between breathtaking views, endless laughter, and a few epic tumbles in the snow, we bonded over shared snacks, warm tea, and great conversation. By the end of the day, it wasn’t just a hike—it was the start of a beautiful inter-family connection.

In February 2022, we took our first international trip together—to the vibrant landscapes of Colombia. We explored beautiful landscapes, discovered dreamy wedding spots, and, most importantly, spent unforgettable moments with Laura’s wonderful family. Over shared meals and heartfelt stories, we celebrated love, laughter, and the beauty of life together

After a year of incredible adventures, heartfelt love confessions, and Farnood visiting Laura’s home country for the first time, we realized we couldn’t stand being apart any longer. It felt like a bold step, but it also felt right. When we shared the news with our family and friends, their excitement and support gave us the confidence to move forward. With Mr. Forghani’s advice, we found our perfect home on Nun’s Island—a peaceful retreat surrounded by birdsong, the river and endless forests, we designed the place with love, lots of plants and our favourite memories together. It was everything we dreamed of and the perfect place to start this new chapter together.

After three amazing years together and two years living in our cute home, we felt ready for the next step. During a trip to Machu Picchu, the idea of marriage felt right, but Laura wasn’t sure if Farnood was ready too. That summer, Farnood surprised her with a Costa Rica trip for her 30th birthday. Secretly, he was planning the proposal with his parents, who helped bring the perfect ring from Iran. In November 2024, after days of exploring Costa Rica, we arrived at Hotel Playa Azul. On a peaceful walk near the hotel, Farnood read Laura a letter of "birthday" and by the end of the letter, while he was shaking, he proposed. Very happy, she laughed and said, "Is this the Amazon surprise?" before answering, “Yes, yes I do!”