A few moments captured from the proposal day, a memory they will always hold close. On October 12, 2025, in the middle of the Fall semester, what started as a stressful day for Tanem turned into something unforgettable. In Turkish culture, the engagement ring is first worn on the right hand before marriage, which is why Tanem may be seen switching the ring from her right hand to her left hand.

In Turkish culture, once a couple agrees to marry, both families take part in a meaningful tradition that marks the beginning of their union. The groom visits the bride’s family with roses and chocolate, usually with his parents. Since Hasan’s family lives in Turkey and other countries, they joined through a video call while his cousin attended in person. Tanem served Turkish coffee to everyone, including Hasan’s special coffee made with salt instead of sugar as a playful test of love and patience. Afterward, Hasan formally received Tanem’s family’s blessing. The couple then exchanged their rings during the Turkish Söz (promise) and Nişan (engagement) ceremony, with both rings tied together by a red ribbon, placed on their right ring fingers, and the ribbon cut to symbolize the joining of both families. After the wedding, their rings will be moved to the left hand.

In addition to the Söz and Nişan ceremonies held with family, Turkish culture often includes a larger engagement celebration that feels more like a mini wedding. This engagement party brings together extended family and friends to celebrate the couple in a more festive setting, often with elegant décor, music, and a formal setting. The couple is typically dressed up, makes a grand entrance, and shares special moments like a first dance, similar to a wedding reception. Guests enjoy food, dancing, and entertainment. The atmosphere is joyful and celebratory, marking the couple’s commitment in a bigger, more public way. While the earlier tradition focused on family approval and formalizing the promise of marriage, the engagement party is about celebrating that promise with everyone they love before the wedding day.