At the start of college, both Ali and Maideh became involved with Ma’rifa, a new nonprofit organization for Shi’a Muslim students in North America. They joined as the first new team members alongside six other students from across the country. Through weekly virtual meetings and late-night planning sessions, the team formed a strong bond as they worked together to organize Ma’rifa 2022: Heart & Revival. Ali and Maideh met in person for the first time at the conference in March 2022 in Washington, D.C. Early on, someone jokingly suggested they’d make a good pair—but they brushed it off, assuming it was just because they were the only two Iranians on the team. They spent the weekend running errands and setting up a haft-seen table for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. While arranging the table, they developed a humorous and natural banter with one another. As they continued their work with Ma’rifa—nurturing a community and vision they both believed in—their connection deepened. What began in shared purpose and circle of friends unfolded, over time, into something lasting, genuine, and deeply felt. After the conference, Ali started to see their friendship in a new light, with unexpected feelings. A few months later, in September, Maideh’s heart caught up, and the rest is history.

Inspired by Maideh’s favorite show, Gossip Girl, Ali planned his proposal in New York City with the help of her best friend. Dressed in a trench coat and holding a handful of peonies, modeling the proposal of Maideh’s favorite couple in the show. Ali took Maideh on a walk through Central Park, ending at Bethesda Terrace. They sat down together on the classic stone benches, and that’s when Ali pulled out a photo album titled “Ali Maideh,” a sweet nod to a phrase his nephew Ameen had repeated over and over during their Khasegari (traditional Iranian courtship custom). The photo album was divided into chapters from the moment they first met, through all the phases of their relationship, filled with nostalgic, iconic, heartfelt pictures of all their times and trials together. Finally, the sentimental pages came to a close with the words, “Maideh, I want to fill a thousand more albums with memories of us. Now look up...” And there he was with a dazzling diamond in a Harry Winston box, just like in the show. The moment was perfect, personal, and straight out of a scene Maideh would never forget. The two spent the rest of the weekend visiting Maideh’s favorite spots in NYC, including the Met Museum, dinner at Butter, and walks around the Upper East Side. A light snowfall surprised them, making the weekend especially memorable for Maideh, from the West Coast.