"
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Pablo Neruda

"Sara is a dynamic, loving and beautiful person. She has the creativity of an artist and the curiosity of a scientist. She radiates kindness and truly cares about the people in her life. She is amazingly busy and productive yet still takes time to be generous and compassionate with everyone she meets. Everyday Sara continues to be the brilliance in my life.

As the daughter of parents in the Foreign Service, she had the experience of growing up in not one but many places and cultures. Before I met her in Chicago, she lived in West Africa as a child, then moved to Washington DC and finally lived in Utah for high school and college. With a Texan father and a Persian mother, her home has always been energetic and lively. Throughout this transglobal and multicultural upbringing, her family has always been supportive and dedicated to her well being and success.

After college she was successful as a public health policy professional, but entered the medical field to continue to help people on a more personal and deeper level. When I met her she was an excellent and eager medical student. She even helped tutor me on more than one occasion. One of my favorite early memories was when she showed me her collection of medical themed Valentine's Day cards that she hand made. Her ability to bring wittiness and humor to something so dry was totally unexpected and amazed me. This was one of the moments when I knew I could easily spend the rest of my life with her and still be surprised by her cleverness.

Now Sara practices dermatology and plans to help restore the skin of people who have suffered from debilitating skin conditions or deformities. She is very successful in her field yet remains humble with her patients. I know they are lucky to have someone who truly cares about them as people.

Sara has been dedicated to me and has believed in all of my dreams since we met. She is my hardest critic yet my best advocate. Her dedication to me and this relationship is apparent everyday. Her willingness to convert to Catholicism went above and beyond what I could have ever expected from a partner. I know I can depend on Sara no matter what comes our way and love her forever. "

...according to Francis

Francis According to Sara

SARA

"The first thing you notice about Francis is his smile. It is warm and disarming, and lights up any room. When I think back to our first introduction, that is all I can remember--a bright smile wrapped up in an optimistic young man with this wonderful dark hair. I recall feeling as though I had known him for a long time. This familiarity, this comforting air, is but one of many things that makes Francis special. He is steady; a calm force that has brought to my life a sense of centeredness and lightheartedness that I did not believe was possible. Falling in love with him, together as poor but hopeful medical students in Chicago, was one of the happiest times of my life.

When I learned that we would complete our respective residency trainings apart, I was devastated. Francis, however, was resolute. The ensuing four years apart challenged us to no end and were far from ideal. But Francis, with his quiet confidence, was a constant source of strength and encouragement. He never ceases to amaze me with his ability find humor in darkness, or joy in simple things. I love how his mind works: always looking to the future, always striving to be better. And I rarely know what his next move is, which is why his middle-of-the-night surprise proposal made all the sense in the world. No matter the obstacles that lie between us, he surmounts them to find meaningful moments.

Francis is patient and kind. He loves me in a way that feels limitless and expansive, across time and location. I know that with him next to me, I can face any disappointment or accomplish any goal. Francis is the person you want by your side when you are backed into a corner. He invariably exceeds expectations, whether it is restoring cars or woodworking or caring for his patients. Each day I find something new to love about him. He is, simply, one of the best people that I know. I am beyond excited and deeply grateful that I get to be his wife."

FRANCIS

...according to Sara

Sara According to Francis

One Friday afternoon, Sara looked at the Google calendar she shares with Francis and realized they both had the upcoming weekend free. This is an infrequent occurrence, so she texted Francis and asked if he could meet her at their halfway meeting point: State College, Pennsylvania. Francis replied that he was too tired to drive the long distance, but was actually already en route from New Jersey to Cleveland. Sara resigned herself to a quiet weekend and feel asleep early. At 2am, her phone rang. It was Francis calling to her know that he was at her place. Still half-asleep, Sara rushed downstairs to find Francis in her driveway under a streetlight, on bended knee.

PROPOSAL

the

One Friday afternoon, Sara looked at the Google calendar she shares with Francis and realized they both had the upcoming weekend free. This is an infrequent occurrence, so she texted Francis and asked if he could meet her at their halfway meeting point: State College, Pennsylvania. Francis replied that he was too tired to drive the long distance, but unbeknownst to Sara, he was actually already en route from New Jersey to Cleveland. Sara resigned herself to a quiet weekend and fell asleep early. At 2am, her phone rang. It was Francis calling to let her know that he was at her place. Still half-asleep, Sara rushed downstairs to find Francis in her driveway under a streetlight, on bended knee.

PROPOSAL

the

. . . Starbucks before heading to the airport. While rambling on about her desperate need for a grande soy caramel frappuccino, Alencia realized Rick was no longer responding. When she turned to face him, he was no longer walking next to her but was several steps back on one knee. The location, the weather, the couple… it was all perfect! This is indeed the stuff that dreams are made of….

BACK

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