Stephanie:
The first time that I held Zain’s hand, a zombie was chasing us down.
We were walking alone together for the first time, at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Our friends had driven to Orlando earlier; we both had to come late, so we decided to car-pool. Everyone was waiting to meet us inside the park. All that stood between us and a reunion was a long walk in the darkness - surrounded by ghouls, monsters, and the Walking Dead. I grabbed Zain’s hand as ghastly things jumped out at us from behind every tree. Zain walked tall beside me, leading me on. Although at times, I felt that he was possibly pushing me in front of him… And every once in a while, I thought I heard a scream that sounded a little too deep to be my own... Nevertheless, we finally made it! I reached out for Zain’s hand many times that night as we explored the haunted houses together, because I liked the way he made me feel…steady and safe.
Stephanie:
It was May 2013, and Zain and I were traveling across Europe with our friends Neel and Valerie. It was our last night in Rome before flying to Budapest the next day. We got out of a taxi and walked into a restaurant….when I realized that I had forgotten my purse in the taxi, with my passport and all my money inside! How was I going to fly to Budapest without a passport? How was I going to travel for two more weeks with no money? Zain, Neel, and Valerie tried to comfort me. At 6am the next morning, it was who Zain woke me up, and together we ran to the US Embassy in Rome. And when I say ran, I mean ran…the trains in Rome were on strike so we could only go on foot, and the Embassy only issued emergency passports for two hours each day! Zain helped me find my way, even though he had sprained his ankle and could barely walk. We got to the Embassy just in time. Zain gave me money to buy a new passport, and in a few hours all four of us were in an airplane on our way to Hungary for the next leg of our adventure. I knew then that this was someone who was not only fun to see the world with, but someone who would stick by my side through thick and thin.
Zain:
One of our first dates was going to see The Hobbit in theaters, as we were both "Lord of the Rings" nerds. The Shire was our favorite location as it was filled with rolling hills and tiny (Steph-sized) Hobbit-holes. Luckily for me, the location exists in real life. So as soon as I knew Steph was visiting me on my rotation in New Zealand, I knew it was the perfect opportunity. My sister hired a local engagement photographer and I booked a private tour for us. Steph had no idea, although the guy taking random pictures of us was rather suspicious (I played it off as his services came with the private tour). The result was a dream engagement with picturesque views. For the first time in my life, I knew I had done something right.