​Our lOve stOry

From A Zanzibar Smile to a Lifetime of Love

Shari: Some people meet on dating apps. Some get set up by friends.
 

Muhammed: And some people meet because the woman tried, but failed, to bargain the cover charge at the club.
 

Both: That’s our story.

Shari: On January 5, 2023, I traveled to Zanzibar to celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday. Most of us met back in grad school and have been friends for more than 10 years. It was supposed to be a birthday trip full of sun, spice, and memories. Little did I know I was about to meet my forever love.

Muhammed: On January 11, 2023, I was working security at a local lounge near their hotel, Coccobello Zanzibar. I’d worked many nights before, but this night was different. As usual, a group of Americans walked in, laughing and talking, and one of them, Shari, caught my eye right away. Initially, because she tried to get a discount on the cover charge! There was something in her energy — soft, strong, and full of light.

Shari: I noticed him too, the smile, the way he quietly carried himself. There was something magnetic. Inside, I tried to stay focused on the night, but honestly? I was peeking back at the entrance every chance I got. When we were leaving, I saw him standing at the door. He smiled. I smiled back. I stopped. I went over. We talked briefly, but enough for me to get his WhatsApp number (yep, modern romance!).

Muhammed: I was surprised but happy she came over. I knew something about this meeting wasn’t ordinary. I had my friend write down my number, just in case I got nervous and forgot it! A few minutes later, she texted to say she got back to her hotel safely. I smiled, big. I replied right away. I prayed later that night, asking God to be sure she was a good person.

Both: And from that moment, we haven’t stopped talking.

Shari: Even though we tried, we couldn’t meet again before I flew back to the U.S., our messages turned into long video calls, voice notes, and laughs that felt like home. We shared pieces of our stories and found we had more in common than we expected.

Muhammed: We both lost our parents when we were young adults - my mom and her dad. We shared how these losses changed our lives. We both loved music and sang afrobeats and R&B. We both make really bad jokes that only the other one finds funny. And more importantly, we shared a way of seeing the world with compassion, with faith, and with love.

Shari: He became my favorite part of every day. Even across oceans and time zones, he was SO present and consistent. I couldn’t believe I was falling for someone I had only met once in person, but I was. My friends noticed. They said, “You light up when you talk about him.” They weren’t wrong. He was the man I prayed for.

Muhammed: I knew Shari was special. Her smile, her energy — I had never met anyone like her. I knew she was the one I'd been praying for. I wanted to be serious with her, but I also knew she deserved to be sure. When she said she wanted to come back for her birthday in June, I was ready to show her what she meant to me.

Shari: He met my mom and siblings over video before I flew back to Zanzibar. He made sure they felt comfortable and safe. He promised to take care of me. And then he delivered. From the moment I landed on June 27, 2023, I felt loved and protected. He even helped me find clothes to wear when my luggage was lost on the journey!

Muhammed: My sister helped plan activities. My best friend became our driver. I wanted her to know we were all excited to welcome her. I surprised her with a birthday dinner at the resort, complete with rose petals, gifts, and music. She deserved it all! It was on that trip that I realized she was to be my wife.

Shari: It was during that trip that I realized that I didn’t just like Muhammed. I loved him.

Both: That was the trip where we officially became a couple.

Shari: Since then, we’ve done what most people would call impossible! We built a relationship across two continents, through love, patience, creativity, open communication, and a lot of late-night video dates.

Muhammed: I asked her mom (Mama Loretta) for her blessing on November 4, 2023, and when she said yes, I knew it was time. I didn't know much about American proposals, but I watched a lot of YouTube to figure it out. On December 2, I proposed to Shari in front of my friends and family, with her mom, siblings, and best friends watching live on video. I was so nervous, and it was one of the happiest moments of my life!

Shari: I said yes. Without hesitation. Because I knew deep in my heart that this man had been divinely placed in my life. It felt like God created him with me in mind!

Both: From a chance meeting in a beachside lounge to sharing every day together from afar, our love story is living proof that destiny honors the brave, and love doesn’t care about borders.

So now, we invite you to return with us, to where it all began, and witness the next chapter of this story that began with a smile, a spark, a failed bargain… and a WhatsApp message.

Welcome to our boundless love! Welcome to Zanzibar!