Our story began this summer. Dyala had just completed her Master's degree and was enjoying a well-earned break while visiting her sister in Paris. Firas was spending a few months in sunny Silicon Valley, splitting his days between research and the California sun. Neither of us imagined that a summer lived on completely opposite continents would be the moment our paths finally crossed.

Somewhere between California and Paris, a spark found its way to both of us. Despite the distance, we spent hours each day on FaceTime—laughing, sharing stories, and discovering an unexpected sense of familiarity. Even before we met in person, it already felt as if our puzzle pieces were starting to fit together.

After Dyala moved back to Texas, Firas made a few joyful trips there—filled with family, warmth, and unforgettable moments—where they finally met in person. It was in Texas, during those visits, that we both realized this was different—that what had begun as a connection across continents had grown into something truly meant to last.

Just a week or two later, Firas moved from California to Paris. In a way, we had swapped continents again, yet even with the distance briefly between us, our bond only grew stronger.

Everything fit—our values, our cultures, our humor, and our vision for life. So we brought our families together for our engagement before Allah (swt) on October 18, 2025. Dyala and her family visited Firas in his hometown of Beckum, a small German town, and together we celebrated this special moment surrounded by love, certainty, and gratitude.

Below is a photo from that special day, with our families who supported us every step of the way. From left to right in the photo: Firas's parents, the groom (Firas), the bride (Dyala), and Dyala's parents.

We cannot wait to celebrate our love and union with you in Marrakesh, chosen as a beautiful destination to bring both our families and friends together, and to begin this next chapter with the people who mean the most to us.