Meet the Ashfords

Macire and Nassim’s first encounter was in the 9th grade at Arabia Mountain High School. It was afterschool, and Nassim was outside standing on top of one of the athletic storage buildings. When Macire and her friends walked over to the building, she saw Nassim and yelled, “You’re stupid!” Nassim thought to himself, “Who is she?” From there, he sought out her friendship. He asked around and found out that Macire was Muslim. In the 10th grade, they were in the same English class, and on the first day of class, Nassim went up to Macire and asked, "Hey, are you Muslim?" "Yes, I am", she responded. “I'm Muslim too...I’ve never had any Muslim friends, so do you want to be my friend? This led to the beginning of a dynamic and supportive friendship that would bring them great memories, allow them to inspire each other with their ambition, and become each other’s ‘favorite person’...Best friends in the end.

During their senior year of high school, Nassim and Macire participated in dual enrollment, taking college courses at Georgia State University. They carpooled to class together, spent time studying for exams, and applied to colleges. Their afternoons were filled with dreams about their futures, discussing which universities they would attend, and growing closer than ever. Macire often spoke of her ambition to work in the White House, embodying her inner 'Olivia Pope,' while Nassim envisioned traveling the world exploring emerging health technologies, channeling his inner 'T'Challa.' Nassim and Macire thrived on friendly competition, constantly challenging each other on who was the smartest or who would be the most successful. In the Spring of 2016, Nassim realized his feelings for Macire were deeper than friendship and he wanted to share his life with her, achieving their dreams together. In February 2016, Nassim asked Macire to be his valentine and join him for dinner at a restaurant in Atlanta called Six Feet Under. Initially caught off guard, Macire was reassured by Nassim that they were just going as "friends." One of Macire's plotting best friends joined the "date" to make things feel more casual and ensure its success. On March 9, 2016, Nassim decided to ask Macire to attend senior prom with him. He conspired with her closest friends to surprise her with an extravagant ‘Promposal’ in front of the entire school, featuring the marching band and dance team in an amazing performance, and decorating Macire’s car with balloons. Macire was shocked and delighted by Nassim’s grand gesture. On March 11, after a long day of prom shopping together, Nassim finally revealed his true feelings to Macire. “You complete me,” he said. Their friendship, strengthened by shared dreams, blossomed into a love that has grown stronger over the years. From high school sweethearts to lifelong partners, Nassim and Macire embarked on the next phase of their journey together as they headed off to college, ready to face new challenges and adventures.

Surprisingly enough, Macire and Nassim fell in love with Mercer University after visiting the campus. If you ask their parents, they'd say they chose to go to school together, but Macire and Nassim say it was a pure “coincidence,” lol. They became very involved on campus, taking on leadership roles in student clubs, joining Greek life (RQQ to the Bruhz and Skee Wee to the Sorors), and traveling abroad to South Africa (Macire) and Honduras (Nassim). Their experiences opened their eyes to the beauty of exploring different cultures and communities and how much more about the world there was to learn. During their junior year of college, Macire spent the summer in Pittsburgh as a Public Policy and International Affairs fellow, while Nassim was in Michigan as a Future Public Health Leader Fellow with the CDC. Following their senior year, they both graduated a semester early and were selected to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation internship in Washington, DC, on Capitol Hill. Nassim and Macire pushed each other academically, always tried new things, and challenged one another to reach new heights.

It was the Spring of 2020 and life in DC was full of new experiences. Nassim and Macire had started their new program, living in an apartment building with several roommates from their cohort. They were both interning with the Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leaders program (CBCF); Macire with Senator Tammy Duckworth and Nassim with Congresswoman Karen Bass. They spent so much time exploring the city together, discussing their shared interests in politics, culture, society, and the world, continuing to grow together through it all. When the pandemic hit, their plans, including a free trip to Japan through the program, were disrupted. Nassim and Macire moved back home to Atlanta and began using their free time to explore their interests and personal endeavors. Alongside their peers, they co-founded NoirUnited International, an organization dedicated to empowering Black and African communities, which would go on to change their lives. Later that year, Nassim moved to Virginia for a new opportunity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while Macire stayed in Georgia, working from home at the National Democratic Institute. The time they spent apart made their hearts grow even fonder, and with every moment that passed, they wished to be together.

Macire and Nassim always felt deeply concerned for the well-being of their community and were inspired by the history of their families, community, and culture. Desiring to make an impact on their community and the world, in 2021, they decided to continue their education, with Macire at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and Nassim at the Yale School of Public Health. Moving North from their lives in the South was a significant change for them, but it was also an opportunity to grow in a new city and environment. They took advantage of all the opportunities New York City, NY, and New Haven, CT, offered them, exploring with their friends, getting involved on campus, and sharing with each other the new knowledge they were gaining. Nassim and Macire could talk for hours on end about any topic, and somehow never got tired of each other's presence. Their ability to learn from one another and appreciate each other for who they were kept their relationship dynamic, exciting, and supportive through all of life's changes. Well, life really did take a turn after an idea they had came to life, and they both embarked on a journey that would transform their relationship and lead them to travel across eight countries in Europe together, meeting new people, helping refugees in need, and building their organization, NoirUnited International. When the war in Ukraine broke out during their second semester of graduate school, Macire and Nassim felt compelled to action and launched a campaign to provide humanitarian assistance to thousands of African students displaced from the Ukraine war. Nassim and Macire spent the summer of 2022 traveling throughout Europe, distributing food, housing, and material support and advocating for the rights of African students.

For years, Nassim and Macire talked and dreamed about their future together, envisioning all they wanted to accomplish as a married couple. They frequently planned for the day they would finally wed. However, in the months leading up to the proposal, life was incredibly busy. Between juggling school assignments, tests, papers, and traveling between the USA and Europe to implement programs with NoirUnited, they had little time to focus on wedding plans. Their immediate goal was simply to graduate. Yet, as he had done back in high school, Nassim had other plans. During December 2022 and into the New Year of 2023, they traveled through Europe, visiting Berlin, Germany; Warsaw, Poland; and Paris, France. Little did Macire know, Nassim had been secretly planning to propose before the new school semester began. Just before they returned to Atlanta from Paris, Nassim began to finalize his proposal plans. He invited Macire out for dinner and dessert, suggesting they start with dessert at Ponce City Market and then head to a surprise location for dinner. They enjoyed macarons and cheesecake while reflecting on their recent travels and achievements. As they walked back to the car, Nassim blindfolded Macire, playfully teasing that it was to prevent her from commenting on his driving. "It's a surprise, Hadja," he said, "and besides, no need for a passenger seat driver. We've been so busy; you can find the time to relax now." During the 30-minute drive, Nassim played music, and Macire dozed off to sleep. When they arrived at the surprise location—Nassim’s house—he gently woke her and escorted her up the stairs, where their close family and friends were hiding inside. Leading her to the center of the room, he asked her to remove the blindfold. Macire was stunned to see everyone gathered there. Nassim then pulled out a ring in a glowing LED box, and Macire began to cry as the moment she had always dreamed of became a reality. Following her "Yes," the two embarked on a helicopter ride around the city of Atlanta, touring the King and Queen towers in Sandy Springs by Perimeter Mall. It was at that moment they decided to have their wedding in the same place that started their journey together as friends and now as newlyweds. And the rest, as they say, is history. Macire and Nassim are thrilled to share their love with you and look forward to seeing you in September!