Our Story
Our Story
Love at Second Sight
Our story truly began in Hyderabad, India, in 2019. Interestingly, we had actually met in Romania a year and a half prior, but the interaction was so brief that neither of us actually really remembers it. Let’s call it love at second sight! From the moment we connected, there was an immediate bond; we felt an instant comfort in each other's presence. It took two months before we started dating, and another two months before we officially became a couple.
For me (Roland), it was the combination of Ezgi’s strong personality and her deeply caring nature that made me fall in love. Her incredible cooking certainly didn't hurt either. As the Turkish proverb goes, “Erkeğin kalbine giden yol midesinden geçer” (the way to a man's heart is through his stomach).
For Ezgi, I’m convinced it was my legendary sense of humor that won her over.
The Canada Chapter
Our journey is defined by two main chapters: our time in Canada and our life in the Netherlands. In Canada, we worked on the same team at AIESEC International. It was a period of intense personal growth, but more importantly, it was where we built our foundation. Coming from two very different cultures, understanding each other wasn't always easy. However, through commitment and patience, we learned to bridge those gaps, falling deeper in love in the process.
The early days of our relationship were also shaped by the pandemic. Just a few months in, we decided to move in together so we could keep seeing each other during lockdown. While that might have been a daunting step for some, for us, it was a "no-brainer." It probably helped that this was Ezgi’s favorite time ever (finally, a valid excuse to skip social events!). After several months of shared living with our friends Dusan and Thales, the time came to decide on our next move.
A New Life in the Netherlands
After two and a half years in Canada, I was ready to head home. I feel incredibly lucky and forever grateful that Ezgi agreed to join me, starting a new life in a place that was familiar to me but completely new to her.
Our life in the Netherlands began at a calm, slow pace. We moved into a beautiful apartment in Haarlem, transitioned from the world of AIESEC into "normal" jobs, and spent countless hours together. We spent that time talking about life, the future, politics, animals, and, of course, food.
The Big Question
Finally, there is Istanbul... The big, beautiful, chaotic city that excites Ezgi and slightly scares me. When I decided to propose, I knew it had to be there. Last September, at my favorite spot on the island of Büyükada, I asked the most important question of my life. Ezgi said yes.
Now, we can’t wait to celebrate the next chapter of our story and our love with all of you in that same beautiful, chaotic city.