We’re getting married!

They say opposites attract, and that might just be the understatement of the century for Marian and Rami. It all started on a sweltering summer day, not under the moonlight on a Parisian balcony, but on a heated basketball court. Marian, a baller extraordinaire, was facing off against a team coached by the one and only Rami. Things got off to a...rough start for Marian. Let's just say, she was a little too enthusiastic on defense and picked up three quick fouls, landing her on the bench for the entire first half. Fuming (but mostly just wanting to get back in the game), Marian watched Rami coach with a fire that rivaled the California sun. The second half was a turning point. Marian re-entered the game with a vengeance, shutting down plays on defense and draining shots like a human highlight reel. Rami, ever the competitive coach, wasn't having any of it. Every time Marian played any sort of defense, he'd erupt in a playful (though slightly dramatic) cry of "That was a foul!" even when it clearly wasn't. Marian, at first annoyed, couldn't help but crack a smile at his unwavering determination. The game ended with Marian's team victorious, and as the celebrations commenced, Rami walked over, a playful grin on his face. He declared, "that was DEFINITELY your foul!" Marian, still buzzing from the win, retorted playfully, "Learn how to play basketball, then come talk to me. If it was my foul, I wouldn’t have given your player an 'and-one.'" Their playful banter began that day, blossoming into a friendship that spanned years. Life took Marian across the Atlantic to Europe, and it was then that Rami, in a rare display of wanderlust (let's just say Anaheim wasn't letting him go that easily!), drove all the way to Arcadia to see her before she left. When Marian returned 4 months later, Rami knew he couldn't let this spark fade. He finally mustered up the courage to ask her on a proper date and soon thereafter to be his girlfriend. After about 2 years of dating, Marian left for dental school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Rami patiently waited for her return. Four years passed in a blink, marked by daily FaceTimes, many flights back to California, and virtual date nights to help bridge the miles between them. Marian buried herself in textbooks and lectures while Rami navigated life, but their bond remained steadfast. In her fourth year, as Marian immersed herself in clinical rotations, Rami began planning a surprise that would mark a new chapter in their lives. With the help of their closest friends and family, Rami orchestrated a magical evening in Laguna Niguel. He had a close friend camp out and reserve a charming gazebo overlooking the ocean, adorning it with rose petals, candles, and fragrant flowers. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rami led Marian to the gazebo and with a nervous smile playing on his lips, trembling hands, and a heart full of love, Rami knelt down and asked Marian to be his wife. Marian's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she said yes, grateful for the man who had patiently waited for her across the miles and years and despite it made sure she always felt loved and supported. They embraced, laughter mingling with the waves below, and in that moment, they knew that despite the challenges and distance, their love had only grown stronger. So, what started as a (slightly biased) coach yelling at a talented player turned into a love story that proves sometimes, the greatest fouls lead to the sweetest victories.