Some love stories begin with a glance across a crowded room. Ron and Farrah’s began with a FaceTime call—and what followed was nothing short of a cinematic adventure spanning continents, cultures, and some of the most romantic cities in the world. Ron was born in Iran and came to Atlanta, Georgia at just two years old, growing up as a proud Georgian with deep Persian roots. Farrah grew up in Iran, completing a rigorous seven year medical degree at one of Tehran’s top universities before her own extraordinary journey westward would begin. The two were introduced through a mutual family friend over FaceTime, and what started as a video call quickly turned into hours of late-night conversation, night after night.
“We couldn’t stop talking,” Ron recalls with a smile. “We never put the phone down.” Two weeks into their long-distance courtship, Ron traveled internationally to meet Farrah in person for the first time. She invited him over for tea, and then something magical happened. She picked up her guitar and played a lovely melody, singing a song that stopped Ron in his tracks. “It was love at first sight,” he says simply. What followed were dozens of coffees, lunches,
breakfasts, and dinners packed into just two weeks. Four weeks after their very first conversation,
Ron honored Persian tradition and pursued the formal courtship of khastegari—a proposal of marriage deeply rooted in Iranian culture.
But their path to forever was not without its tests. Immigration laws changed dramatically, turning what should have been a three-month visa process into a three-year, long-distance relationship. Lesser loves might have buckled. Ron and Farrah only grew stronger. They met up in Paris, Zurich, Istanbul, and Dubai. They eventually took up residence in Ecuador — just
a three-hour flight from Ron’s hometown of Atlanta — and used their time there to travel to Colombia and Brazil, building a life and a love story that most people only read about.
They celebrated their engagement on November 28th, 2016. Their wedding vows were exchanged in Iran on September 2nd, 2017. A beautiful 30-person celebration followed in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on December 20th, 2018. And they made it official in the United States on July 15th, 2019. Three weddings. Three countries. One extraordinary love story — and Ron remembers every single date by heart. “We had some serious conversations very early on— kids, career goals, city versus suburbs. After we got that out of the way came the lovey-dovey stuff.” — Ron
Building Something Beautiful
Both Ron and Farrah brought remarkable professional journeys to their partnership. Ron studied engineering at Georgia Tech before his passion for combining technology and medicine led him to dentistry— and eventually orthodontics. “It had the perfect combination of skilled workmanship, 3D printing and artistic design while serving people directly,” he explains. “I could see the results of my hard work.” He went on to complete his dental training at Nova Southeastern and his orthodontic specialty at the Georgia School of Orthodontics.
Farrah’s path was equally impressive. After earning her international MD degree in Iran and completing the qualifications required for US licensure, she joined her husband on dental mission trips in Ecuador and discovered a deep calling to dentistry. She channeled her talents and her drive into the rigorous program at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, one of the most respected dental schools in the country. It was that pursuit that brought this globe-trotting family to the Bay Area— and eventually, to Blackhawk. “We stumbled upon Blackhawk looking for a nice place to raise little Ms. Dior,” Ron says. They found exactly that.
The Heart of the Family
Four-year-old Dior is, by all accounts, the sunshine of the Hassanzadeh household — though she would probably prefer to be called the leader of the wolf pack. “By the end of recess, she has rounded up all the kids on the playground and has them running in lines together,” Ron laughs. Dior loves to swim—she could spend an entire day in the pool without tiring—and is already fluent in English, Farsi, and Spanish, a natural gift from two multilingual parents who have practiced all three with her since birth.
Her third birthday was nothing short of legendary— over 60 of her closest friends gathered at the Hassanzadeh home, and Cinderella and Moana made a very special guest appearance. Something tells us Ms. Dior wouldn’t have it any other way. “Farrah,” Ron jokes, is “the life of the party—more friends than can fit in her phone book and more social than her battery can handle.” She comes home every day with 1% battery left on her phone. Ron has made it his personal mission — and hobby — to make sure her phone is always charged and ready for the next adventure. Farrah also loves to play guitar, filling their Blackhawk home with music and warmth. Ron finds his own creative expression at the piano, channeling “the emotions and thoughts that cannot be put into words.” He also plays tennis, is an Orangetheory devotee, and is passionate about connecting the dental community through study clubs and continuing education.
At Home in Blackhawk
The Hassanzadeh family has called Blackhawk home for three years now, and they have embraced the community with the same open-hearted enthusiasm they bring to everything in life. “The neighbors are amazingly friendly and warm — all down to earth and a great match to our social lifestyle,” says Ron. Frequent dinner parties, neighborhood gatherings, and family-style events have become a cherished part of their rhythm here. Dior has just begun swim lessons, with her eyes set on joining the Hawks swim team in the near future.
As for dreams and goals, the Hassanzadehs think big — and they think together. Ron dreams of one day becoming a business and life coach, first to Dior and eventually to fellow dentists navigating the challenges of running a practice. Farrah’s passion is finding ways to remove barriers so that every patient can have a smile they feel proud of. And together, their greatest mission is raising Dior with the core values and moral compass to spread positivity and embolden everyone around her.
Their family motto says it all—Ron’s contribution: “Happy wife, happy life.” And the family’s shared creed: Carpe Diem. Never miss a moment to connect. Work hard, party harder.
To their Blackhawk neighbors, the Hassanzadehs have a simple and heartfelt message: “Our hearts are big and our doors are open. We hope to have you at our home for afternoon tea or a dinner party.” Consider yourself invited!
By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010
Photos provided by the Hassanzadeh Family