Valentina & Weishen

Valentina and Weishen’s story began in New York City during Christmas 2018. At the time, Weishen was a PhD student visiting Weill Cornell Medicine. Through Valentina’s friend, who happened to be Weishen’s roommate, they met over a cozy hot pot dinner.

It was a simple introduction that left a lasting impression. From the very beginning, Valentina was drawn to how humble, genuine, and quietly thoughtful Weishen was. They didn’t exchange contact information right away, but Valentina made sure that changed. Months later, she hosted a birthday party in June 2019, creating the perfect excuse to see Weishen again. That night, they finally exchanged contact information and their story officially began.

At the time, Weishen wasn’t sure he was ready for a relationship. He was navigating one of the most challenging periods of his PhD, filled with pressure, uncertainty, and long days of research. But despite everything, he never missed a single "good morning" or "good night" message to Valentina. Just as Valentina began to wonder if their timing wasn’t quite right, Weishen asked her to meet him at Bryant Park. There, in the heart of the city where their story began, he confessed that he loved her. From that moment on, they were inseparable.

Not long after, life tested them. Weishen returned to China to complete his PhD, and due to visa challenges related to his major, what started as a two-year long distance relationship eventually stretched to nearly three years. With lockdowns keeping them worlds apart, Weishen confined on campus and Valentina navigating her own career changes, they leaned on each other more than ever. They always planned for the future, but the future they imagined was always together. Through daily video calls, unwavering support, and countless conversations across time zones, they grew stronger together. They shared the same goals, supported each other’s dreams, and proved that love doesn’t depend on distance, but on commitment.

In August of 2024, Weishen proposed to Valentina. With joy, Valentina said yes—celebrating the start of their next chapter together. The moment captured everything about their relationship: thoughtfulness, love, and a deep sense of partnership that had grown stronger through every challenge.

Today, Valentina and Weishen still share their greatest joy in the simplest things, especially discovering new restaurants together (and yes, Weishen has happily gained a few pounds along the way).

And the rest is their favorite story to keep writing together. 💕