Vi: We met at the MIT gym on Sunday, January 8, 2023, playing badminton together. When I came to the gym, you were playing, and I noticed right away that you were a very competitive player. You were smart and kind. You helped and trained me, even though we had just met. Most excitingly, you were also a biology researcher. I was eager to hear about your research, as well as sharing mine. I found myself wanting to know you better—to play more games with you, to learn more about your research.

Simon: I thought right away that you were someone I wanted to talk with more. We were in the same field of research, and you were many years ahead of me in experience and skill.

Vi: Before we had a chance to exchange contacts, I had to leave, and since you were playing, I didn’t want to interrupt. I hoped we would see each other again. That same night, you surprised me with a message, asking if I was the Vi you had just met. And just like that, we started hanging out! I didn’t realize then how lucky I was—that this first day would mean so much.

The following Sunday, we spent almost the entire day together. You helped me with ice-skating. I was extremely nervous and uncomfortable balancing on ice. I was holding your hands so tightly. You were warm and kind, reassuring me that I would be okay, and you were there for me. After ice-skating, we spent the rest of the day together, touring lab spaces, seeing the Broad exhibit, playing music, having dinner, and playing badminton. I was happy and grateful. You were funny, smart, warm, and very generous with your time.

Simon: That day was one of the best I'd had in a while, since I usually worked through weekends. It was so easy to be with you; a few hours became the whole day. I learned that you’re very open-minded to trying new things. Thanks to you, I got to do things I’d never have done before, like archery, sailing, mushroom foraging, pickleball, and flying trapeze.

Vi: Soon after that, you accepted a graduate program offer at Weill Cornell in New York City and would leave Boston in June. I really hoped we could still keep in touch when you're in New York. At that time, I didn’t know that we would not only stay in touch but even connect more deeply every day! April came, and you decided to spend a month snowboarding in Vermont. I thought I would not see you for the whole month, but on weekends, you returned to Boston. We went to see concerts, visited museums, and played badminton together.

Simon: I thought I would be gone for the whole month too, but I couldn't help wanting to return to Boston to see you. That’s when I realized I might like you. But I would be leaving for New York soon… It wasn't easy thinking about whether I should keep trying to see you or if I should just let us be friends. But I really enjoyed every time we hung out.

Vi: One April night, I was dropping you off after an evening together. You didn’t get out of the car. Then, suddenly, you told me you had been coming back to Boston to see me, that you liked me. I was surprised and didn’t fully understand my own feelings then, but I knew one thing: you were someone I wanted to keep in my life.

Simon: I was so nervous my blood pressure must have been through the roof.

Vi: When you returned at the end of April, we started seeing each other almost every day. We went to the Boston Common, the Public Library, watched movies, practiced yoga, and played chess. Our chess games usually last several days. You were patient with my endless questions, guiding me, showing me the strategy. You were also committed to fixing my air-fryer and stopped by my apartment many evenings for it. But on many of those evenings, we just ended up talking—we shared our stories, our thoughts, our dreams. The hours we spent together felt too short. Time passed too quickly. You still didn’t give up on my air-fryer; you brought it to your place and fixed it! I admire you, admire your skills, and your dedication. Slowly and steadily, I liked you more and more. I felt so lucky that I got to know you.

Simon: We talked so much during this month, almost every time we saw each other we’d talk late into the night, usually about difficult topics like differences in culture, differences in our expectations for a relationship. You often have unique perspectives to things in ways I find mature compared to how I think.

Vi: We took sailing lessons together—riding the wind, navigating storms. I never knew how much fun it would be. I remember my first time sailing independently, and you were on my boat. A strong gust of wind hit, and I lost my balance—the boat spun like a donut. I didn’t know if we spun once or twice. I was worried, but you just smiled and said you had fun. And from that moment, I knew—no storm could stop us from sharing these priceless moments together. The stronger the wind, the more fun we had. With each other, we have no limit.

Simon: It’s thanks to you that I know how to sail now. You encouraged me to sign up for sailing class even though I was sure that I would never make it off the waitlist since it’s so popular and I got rejected from the class once. Now it’s something I look forward to doing with you every summer.

Vi: And somehow, from that moment, I knew—no matter what happens, we would always stand by each other, lifting each other up, steadying each other when we fall. We hiked Acadia, kayaked under bioluminescent waters, explored Portland, saw the scenic lighthouse…

Simon: We should have eaten more lobster while we were there.

Vi: Each moment was breathtaking. And I knew then—I wanted to be with you. The night before you left Boston, May 31, 2023, you asked me again, and that’s how we began!

Without you, I would not believe in fate.

Or true love.

Since then, we have continued to build our story... I visited you in New York with my dad and my niece. We visited Beat the Bomb, Central Park, The Edge, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Flushing. You made everything feel special.

Simon: I wanted you to like New York, so we packed so much into the itinerary and overbooked it. Even though we had been walking all day, you said you’d be okay walking more. I apologize to your dad and niece though.

Vi:

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it." (Benjamin Franklin)

We connect deeply—through our times together and our times apart.

I love your curiosity. Your passion. Your dedication. Your kindness.

I love that you understand and that you always care.

I love that you support me in every way.

No matter what we do, I cherish every moment with you.

No matter what the future holds, I want to face it together.

Like sailing through gusting winds and stormy nights, we will navigate every challenge.

With trust, with love, with each other.

Simon: I used to think there were so many things couples "need" to do to realistically be ready for marriage, like being financially stable, being together for at least three years, living together, traveling together, and having a few major fights. But being with you has changed how I look at marriage. I know I want to be with you, so it honestly doesn’t matter where I am in my career or how much money I make. And I’ve seen enough of you to know that you’re consistent in who you are. You’re calm, empathetic, supportive, and open-minded. We’ve overcome many difficult situations and conversations, but they only brought us closer. And now I know that I don’t need to wait for anything on a theoretical checklist to spend the rest of my life with you.”

B&S

Wedding Day

10:30 AM

Cocktail hour

11:30 AM

Ceremony

12:00 PM

Lunch