On Marisa's 30th birthday, she decided to have a lavish night out. This was right after the first lift after the pandemic in July 2020. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Kubilay was packing his bags to move to England and start his master's degree.

On the evening of Marisa's birthday party, one of her guests decided to bring a friend, Anil. Anil instantly took an interest in Agne, one of Marisa's good friends, and he asked right away to be introduced (years later, Marisa would realise that this simple ask would change the group friendship dynamic entirely).

As Anil and Agne started dating, Marisa and Kassie naturally started spending more time with the new couple. One evening in November, at a small dinner party, Marisa and Kubilay's paths crossed for the first time, unknown to them. This was a serendipitous gathering that would change their lives forever…

With their similar personalities and interests, they became friends instantly. They shared similar music tastes, life values, and even dating tips whenever they saw each other.

As the world started to open up again, everyone resumed their everyday lives, but Marisa and Kubilay's friendship was different. Their special bond kept them in touch, checking in on each other occasionally, going out with mutual friends, visiting each other at work when passing by, etc., growing a more substantial connection every time they saw each other.

Fast-forward a year…Kubilay continued to invite Marisa to hang out. Of course, if you know Marisa, you know she will always make time for her friends (a word that secretly killed Kubilay every time she said, 'What a great friend you are'). Still, regardless, Kubilay persisted in inviting Marisa out, bringing presents, taking her for dinner, and meeting her at random clubs around London, no matter the day or time. However, Kubilay hated that Marisa would always bring her girlfriends along to these together… (in her defence, she has always been a terrible flirt detector!).

 On the evening of February 26th, 2022, while getting ready for yet another dinner with Marisa, Kubilay told his mother he was finally ready to make the first move. Little did he know that on the other side of the city, Marisa was on a three-way call with her sisters, panicking… She knew that it was not just dinner this time, as Kubilay had emphasised earlier in the week: 'Can we go for dinner on Saturday? JUST ME AND YOU?'

They both knew for a while that their friendship had blossomed into something more, so they kept finding excuses to see each other. Both were scared that the other felt the same way—what if this would ruin their fantastic friendship?!

Well, let's say that after that day, they became inseparable, and a beautiful love story began. Two months later, they moved in and adopted the joy of their eyes: a baby cat, Bahar!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, Agne and Anil have tied the knot in 2024... What a cheeky Cupid!