Once upon a time, in the bustling halls of a medical school far from both their homelands, fate wove an intricate tapestry that would bind two souls from distant corners of the globe. Meet Dr. Zoya Khan from Tampa, FL (immigrated from Karachi, Pakistan) and Dr. Joseph Paredes (Joey) from Miami, FL (immigrated from Lima, Peru), an unlikely duo whose love story unfolded amidst textbooks, late-night study sessions, and the occasional misadventure.

Their tale began innocently enough, as many great stories do, with a chance encounter during their first week of medical school orientation. Zoya, though with a quiet determination and unwavering focus on her studies, revealed an occasional glimpse of her hidden fiery, passionate, weird, and often-geeky personality that caught Joey's attention immediately. He, on the other hand, was the life of every gathering, often more interested in making friends than hitting the books. Zoya saw past this, and discovered a man who works tirelessly to achieve success with equal parts of determination, confidence, and a sense of joy in life. Despite their differences, or perhaps because of them, a unique and complementary bond formed between them.

As they navigated the rigors of medical school, Zoya buried herself in her studies, driven by her determination to excel. Joey, on the other hand, found joy in forging connections with classmates and exploring the intricacies of campus life. Little did they know, amidst the chaos of exams and rotations, love was quietly blossoming between them.

Neither Zoya nor Joey had been actively seeking a romantic entanglement. However, fate had other plans. Before they knew it, stolen glances turned into heartfelt conversations, and casual hangouts evolved into cherished moments. Zoya admits that she knew he was the one after revealing his confidence and suaveness on a Miami club dance floor. Joey admits he’s known she was the one… much sooner. They soon together realized that despite their contrasting personalities, they complemented each other in the most unexpected ways.

Their relationship took an endearing turn when Zoya entrusted Joey with the care of Simba, their lovable 14-year-old husky pup. It was a gesture of trust that spoke volumes about the depth of their connection. Simba is now the proud owner of a second name and phone number on his collar tag, and Joey the proud owner of white fur-sprinkled jeans, shoes, and a shirt that fittingly ordains him “The Dogfather”. Together, they embarked on a series of adventures, from the quaint streets of Dothan, AL, to the sandy shores of Panama City, FL, and the vibrant city life of Orlando, FL.

Their journey together took an exciting turn when they matched into their dream residency program at Lakeland Regional Health. It was a testament to their hard work and unwavering support for each other. And as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, they are thrilled at the prospect of buying their first house together this year, a symbol of their commitment to building a future filled with love and laughter.

Through the ups and downs, the laughter and tears, Zoya and Joey's love story is a testament to the power of fate and the beauty of unexpected connections. As they stand on the precipice of forever, hand in hand, they know that no matter where life takes them, they'll always have each other. And as long as God permits, a mischievous husky named Simba to keep them on their toes.

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