Dear Mélanie and Sajjad,
Yuri and I are sending you the biggest hug from Japan. Congratulations, you two! We wish we could be there to celebrate with you, but until we can do that in person, here is a little piece of us for your wedding day.
Sajjad, who would have thought that our days working with rats in Professor Rezayof’s neuroscience lab at the University of Tehran would eventually bring us here? You in America, me in Japan, and both of us finding someone to share our lives with.
There is something I will always be grateful to you for. You pushed me to choose Tokyo when I was thinking about applying elsewhere in Japan, and I am so glad I listened. I had such a good life there. So many happy memories came from that decision, and you helped make it happen. And it was never just Tokyo. Thank you for all the conversations, for listening, and for the advice you have given me about work, life, and where to take my career. You have helped me think things through more times than you probably realize. I am lucky to have you as a friend.
Then there were those gaming nights, when it was already 11 or 12 at night and I still wanted to join you guys, even though we all knew how that would end. Me missing every shot and being the usual “kaj-dast.” 😂 Thank you for putting up with my aim. Apparently, friendship really does have no limits.
But seriously, Sajjad, after all the difficulties you have been through, you finally nailed it. You found the love of your life. Knowing that makes me so happy. You deserve to feel loved, safe, and at home with someone, and it is wonderful to see you beginning this chapter with Mélanie.
Mélanie, congratulations to you too! Thank you for loving my friend and taking such good care of him. It means a lot to know that you have each other. Yuri and I are so happy for both of you, and we hope you will always find comfort, encouragement, and a good laugh in one another.
We spent years studying neuroscience, and somehow we both finally found the right neurotransmitters for our receptors. Now that is some excellent chemistry. 🧠♥
I have such a good feeling about what comes next for you. May this be the beginning of easier days, a peaceful home, and so much happiness. After everything it took to get here, I hope you can both breathe a little more freely, feel safe together, and enjoy the life you are building.
Also, I have to say it. Your wedding style reminds me of Leonard and Penny’s wedding in The Big Bang Theory. 😂 Just the two of you, doing it your own way. I love that.
We are already excited about seeing you someday. Maybe in Europe, maybe in America, or who knows, perhaps even Japan. Although, to be fair, we are trying to escape from Japan ourselves. 😂 Wherever we meet, there must be good food, a very long catch up, and maybe another game night. Please do not expect my shooting to have improved.
My marmosets would also like to officially congratulate you. Their wish for your marriage is simple: may you always have castella cake and sweets in your life. 🐒🍰 I think they have their priorities exactly right.
Have the most beautiful wedding, Mélanie and Sajjad. We wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, good health, and the lovely feeling that whatever happens, you have each other. We will be thinking of you and celebrating from here.
With all our love,
From Japan, with a little extra love from the marmosets.
