We met in April 2022 on Bumble, not knowing that one date would change everything. What started as a casual meet-up quickly turned into something deeper—effortless conversation, shared values, and a feeling of peace that neither of us could ignore. Though we came from different backgrounds and had our own histories, something about us just fit. By December, we were married.
Our love story is made up of the small, meaningful moments—like cooking together in our kitchen, laughing at our inside jokes, or chasing after our cats when they’ve stolen something off the counter. Zaiaad often cooks steak for dinner—his way of showing love—and he never lets Shirin lift a finger when she’s not feeling well. During hard moments with her health, he’s stayed home from work just to make sure she’s safe, comfortable, and supported. His quiet strength has grounded our life.
For Shirin’s birthday, Zaiaad gave her a Little Mermaid card—not just because it’s a childhood favourite, but because he remembered her stories of watching it every night with her dad. Those are the things we hold sacred: the memories, the meaning behind the gestures, and the way we make each other feel seen.
We call each other silly names—like “Chaos Cat,” which Zaiaad lovingly calls Shirin because she’s full of energy and always has a new idea or project in motion. We balance each other beautifully: one of us brings the spark, the other brings the calm. And together, we’ve built a home full of love, laughter, faith, and a deep respect for one another.
We’re so excited to expand that love and joy into our next chapter—growing our family, hand in hand.
Shirin grew up in Markham and Richmond Hill in a household where family always came first. Her parents, both of whom overcame many challenges as immigrants and school dropouts, worked tirelessly to provide a joyful and loving childhood. Her mom is the heart of the home—an incredible cook and the kind of mother who taught by example, always reminding her children to love, give generously, and stay close to God. Her father brought a sense of lightness and calm, the kind of dad who never said no to an evening movie or staying up late to laugh. Shirin grew up sharing close bonds with her brother, cousins, and extended family, and weekends were often spent at the family cottage or on road trips to New York. School activities—from drama club to band—fostered her confidence, while her parents’ constant support helped her grow resilient through challenges like bullying and health hurdles.
Zaiaad was raised in Scarborough in a multi-generational household filled with warmth, wisdom, and laughter. His childhood was enriched by the presence of loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who played a big part in raising him. He spent many weekends strolling through malls with his parents, enjoying simple joys like Tim Hortons and family walks. His father, strong and hardworking, instilled discipline and integrity, while his mother showed love through nurturing care and an open heart. As the older brother, he shares a deep bond with his younger sibling, and now as an uncle, he finds great joy in watching his niece and nephew experience the same kind of loving upbringing he was fortunate to have.
Together, our families have become one—blending traditions, meals, and Sunday dinners into something truly beautiful. Every major holiday is celebrated with laughter, games, delicious food, and an open-door spirit that welcomes all. We both believe that family is not just who you’re born into, but who shows up with love—and we’re surrounded by people who always do.
This foundation of unconditional support is one of the greatest gifts we plan to pass on as we build our own family.
We’ve known for a long time that starting a family might look different for us. Shirin was diagnosed with Beta-thalassemia when she was just six months old, and by the time she was 15, doctors had already started preparing her for the possibility that pregnancy wouldn’t be safe. Still, we never imagined just how difficult the path would be.
We began our IVF journey filled with hope—believing that with love, medical science, and determination, we could grow our family. But what followed were some of the hardest years of our lives.
Cycle #1 (March 16, 2023): 16 eggs retrieved, 9 fertilized. We transferred four embryos. One briefly became a pregnancy, but we suffered a miscarriage at 8 weeks. The others didn’t implant.
Cycle #2 (Dec 25, 2023): 10 eggs retrieved, 5 fertilized. One embryo transferred, but it didn’t take.
Cycle #3 (May 2, 2024): 13 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilized. Two embryos transferred. Again, no pregnancy.
Cycle #4 (Sept 12, 2024): 16 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilized. Six embryos created. We transferred four, and still, none resulted in pregnancy.
Today, we have two frozen embryos remaining at Mount Sinai—and with them, a tremendous amount of hope.
Every failed cycle has left a mark. The physical toll, the financial cost, the emotional weight of seeing “not pregnant” over and over again—it’s been heartbreaking. We’ve cried, we’ve prayed, and we’ve leaned on each other more than ever before. Still, we’ve never lost sight of the love we want to give to a child. If anything, this journey has made us stronger, more united, and even more certain that parenthood is our purpose.
Surrogacy is not just our next option—it’s our most hopeful one. We’re ready to give our child the world. We just need someone kind enough to help us get there.
We live in a warm, spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom townhouse in Brampton, Ontario—a beautiful blend of suburban calm and vibrant community spirit. From the moment we moved in, we knew this would be the home where we’d grow our family. It’s filled with natural light, cozy corners, and the kind of peaceful energy that invites laughter, quiet moments, and everything in between.
One of our favourite parts of the house is the dedicated playroom we’ve already planned. It’s a bright, open space that we envision filled with colourful books, toys, dress-up clothes, and soft rugs perfect for story time or afternoon naps. We’ve already started collecting a few pieces—some plush animals here, a children’s bookshelf there—because we truly can’t wait to fill it with memories.
Our neighbourhood is wonderfully family-oriented. Right next door is a community centre, public school, and library—making playdates, learning, and after-school activities just steps away. In the heart of the neighbourhood is a beautiful water fountain that transforms into an ice rink in the winter, and in the summer, our community hosts outdoor movie nights under the stars, bringing neighbours together for laughter and connection.
There are walking trails, playgrounds, splash pads, and even two high schools within walking distance—one already built and another under construction—making this a place where a child can grow from their first steps to graduation, all in the same loving community.
But what makes this place feel most like home is the people. Our neighbours are warm, welcoming, and supportive. We know each other’s names, exchange holiday treats, and look out for one another. It’s a safe, diverse, and joyful place to live—where every child is greeted with a smile and every family is made to feel like they belong.
This is where we imagine raising our child—where bedtime stories, first bike rides, science projects, and holiday traditions will come to life. A place where they’ll feel secure, celebrated, and endlessly loved.
Our life together is full of energy, creativity, and warmth—and much of that comes from the passions and little joys we share each day.
We share our home with three beloved rescue pets who are very much part of the family. Tiger, our American Eskimo dog, has been with us for over eight years. He’s loyal, affectionate, and deeply connected to Zaiaad. DJ, our spirited tabby cat, has earned the nickname “Chaos Cat” for his hilarious antics and endless curiosity. Noelle, our youngest and calmest, is a gentle and loving little cat who brings balance to the household. Each of them has their own personality and quirks, and we adore the life and love they add to our home.
Shirin is a nurse by training and currently works in sales within the healthcare and data industry. She also runs a small jewelry business—STK Bijoux—that she built from the ground up as a way to express her creativity and give back. She has a deep love for fashion, scary movies, and volleyball, and is always finding new ways to stay active and inspired. Whether she’s watching Real Housewives or experimenting with new makeup looks, she brings light, style, and fun into everything she does.
Zaiaad is Head of Partnerships & Chief Revenue Officer for DogPack, a platform built for pet owners and their furry friends. He’s a lifelong sports fan and enjoys playing flag football and training in boxing, which he picked up in childhood and still practices today. He’s a massive Star Wars & Marvel fan, and when he’s not working or staying active, he loves video games, action movies, and spending time in the kitchen—his steak is legendary in our house.
Together, we’re big-time foodies and love trying out new restaurants, discovering hidden gems, and cooking together at home with 90s and early 2000s pop playing in the kitchen. We have a soft spot for sweets (especially ice cream!), and dinner is often followed by cozy nights on the couch with our pets curled up nearby. Our weekends are a mix of relaxation, community involvement, and time with friends and family. We host meals, celebrate holidays with warmth and intention, and prioritize the people who mean the most to us.
We’re also passionate about giving back. Shirin donates a portion of her jewelry sales to causes that matter to us, including animal rescue, children’s health, and women’s wellness. She also serves as a director for a local vendor market supporting small businesses—especially women entrepreneurs—helping to foster a strong, supportive local community.
At our core, we are kind, fun-loving, and deeply committed to living a purposeful, joyful life—and we can’t wait to welcome a child into that world of love, creativity, and care.
We are committed to providing full financial support for all medical, legal, and pregnancy-related expenses to ensure our surrogate feels secure and cared for every step of the way. But beyond covering costs, our support will be deeply emotional and personal. We want our surrogate to feel truly appreciated and surrounded by love throughout the journey. From thoughtful communication and regular check-ins to celebrating milestones together, we’ll be by her side with kindness, attentiveness, and respect—offering whatever is needed to make the experience as smooth, safe, and uplifting as possible, not just during the pregnancy but well into the postpartum period.
We hope to build a heartfelt, lasting relationship with our surrogate—one that extends beyond the birth. During the pregnancy, we want to be involved and present, sharing in the joy of the journey while ensuring she feels supported and never alone. After the baby is born, if our surrogate is open to it, we would love for her to remain a part of our family’s story. We see this relationship as being an enduring one, and we would want to build a relationship with them that lasts. We would be honoured to ask her to become our child’s godmother, and to continue being someone they can look up to, admire, and learn from. We are aware that each surrogate may have a different approach to post-birth involvement, so we are committed to honouring whatever our surrogate feels comfortable with – just know that from our perspective, we’re happy to accommodate, and would love to have that surrogate (and their families!) in our lives. Whether that means staying in touch through messages, attending milestones, or simply knowing she always has a place in our hearts, we welcome whatever level of connection she feels comfortable with.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Although these are simply words on a page, they represent a small picture of an incredibly happy and joyful family that would love nothing more than to welcome a child into our world. Your strength, compassion, and selflessness are nothing short of extraordinary, and just by being here, you are already a light in our lives. This journey is not something we take lightly—it is sacred to us. If you choose to walk it with us, we promise you will never walk it alone.
From the very beginning, we are committed to supporting you fully—financially, emotionally, and personally. All medical costs, medications, appointments, legal fees, travel expenses, and postnatal care will be completely covered. But our support is about far more than financial obligations—it’s about presence, connection, and genuine care. We understand the incredible gift that you’d be providing us, and we want to make sure that you know that we do not take it for granted.
We will be here to celebrate your milestones, to check in when you need comfort, to listen, to laugh, to cry, and to simply be there for you in whatever way you need. Whether it’s a quiet moment after a long day, a small gift to remind you how loved you are, or a shoulder to lean on during the harder days, we promise to be fully engaged in your well-being throughout the process.
We do not see you as someone completing a task. We see you as someone who is giving life, in every sense of the word. If you are open to it, we would love to grow this connection beyond the pregnancy. We would be honoured to ask you to be our child’s godmother—someone they can look up to with admiration and pride, someone they know not just through stories, but through presence. We’d love to share birthdays, holidays, or even just quiet moments, depending on what feels right for you. And if ongoing involvement isn’t what you want, we will forever hold space for your impact with reverence and respect.
This is not just a request for help in starting our family. This is our way of saying—we want to walk beside you, support you in every possible way, and honour your gift to our family. Your role, your presence, your heart—it matters more than we could ever put into words.
We hope you feel loved, safe, and truly appreciated—because you are.
With all our hearts,