Photos by Katie Borsuk Photography
We would like to thank Alpha Century Security for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature.
Meet the Shirazi Family: Farzad, Azadeh, Roham and their adorable Bernedoodle puppy, Benji. The Shirazis may have arrived in Newtown Square by chance, but after eight wonderful years, they consider themselves lucky to be in love with Newtown Square.
Farzad and Azadeh were both born and raised in Tehran, Iran. Though they lived in the same city and their parents were acquaintances through mutual friends for years, Farzad and Azadeh did not meet each other until much later, when they both attended a party hosted by a mutual friend.
The Shirazis married in 2002 and embarked on a honeymoon adventure across Europe. Their first stop was Vienna, then they traveled to Venice, Barcelona and Frankfurt before settling down in an apartment in Tehran. After graduating college with a degree in solid-state physics, Azedeh pursued figurative sculpture, figurative drawing and painting, which led her to participate in some group art exhibitions. Farzad’s background in computer coding and programming led him to a career in inventory and asset control for a construction company.
A few years passed when Azadeh and Farzad welcomed their son, Roham, to the world. Roham had attended his first few years of school in Iran when they decided to move out of the country. “Azadeh and I agreed that we wanted Roham to be raised in a place rich with opportunity, where he would be free to make his own decisions and forge his own path,” Farzad explained. “We had originally planned to relocate to Canada, but as luck would have it, at the very last minute, we were granted green cards to the United States.”
Now that their plans had changed, Farzad and Azadeh needed to decide on where to settle down. “We considered California and Georgia because we had a few relatives there,” said Azadeh. “Ultimately, we chose Newtown Square because one of Farzad’s good friends had lived there and could not say enough wonderful things about the area.” Adding to their decision was Azadeh’s desire to continue her studies in art school, and the choices in the Philadelphia area were on the top of her list.
Azadeh enrolled in Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, with the intent to continue to study sculpting but ended up graduating with a degree in graphic and interactive design. “It’s a funny story,” laughed Azadeh. “Farzad kept telling me that he thought I would be really good at graphic design, but I had no interest. I was stubborn about it, so much so that I signed up for a graphic design class just to prove him wrong.” Azadeh said all it took was that one 3-credit course and she was hooked.
Today, Azadeh is fully immersed in graphic design and works as a graphic and interactive designer for a leading company that specializes in interactive learning, virtual training, experiential marketing and virtual, augmented and mixed reality for the life sciences. “I love what I do!” she said. “Our company is the future of education and training for medical professionals, students and business leaders, and I am proud to be making a difference.”
For Farzad, choosing to live in Newtown Square was simple. “I liked the proximity to the city,” he explained, “and the peaceful neighborhoods and the quality of the school district.” Farzad was also able to continue his career in inventory and asset management, and he joined one of the leading medical device companies specializing in spinal surgeries. “My job requires 100% accuracy,” Farzad explained. “There is no room for error when you are responsible for not just the devices and implants being used, but you’re supporting the surgeons and medical staff as well.” Farzad explained that his background in coding and programming, both of which require incredible attention to detail, has contributed to his success today.
They say that success breeds success and this is certainly the case with Farzad and Azadeh’s son, Roham, who is currently a stand-out sophomore at Marple Newtown High School. In addition to his regular course load, Roham plays trumpet and tuba in the marching band, is a member of the jazz band, leader of the bass section for the choir and select choir, participates in the drama program, and serves as president of the astronomy club. He’s also working his way toward membership in the school’s Tri-M music honors society.
It’s hard to believe that this hard-working, well-rounded 15-year-old has any free time, but when he does, he likes to solve problems. “I’ve always been interested in technology, so when I was in 5th grade, I started building my first computer,” Roham explained. “Then during COVID, I spent my time building a second computer and fixing a broken Xbox.” Roham said he often helps his friends and even his teachers fix and upgrade their broken equipment. He thoroughly enjoys the challenge and also the satisfaction of knowing that his work is making a difference.
“Roham has a beautiful heart and is always so kind to others,” said Azadeh. “Farzad and I have always known that about him, but as he gets older, we are blessed to see just how much he loves to make others smile.” Roham said that he makes it his mission every day to make someone’s world a bit brighter. He said, “You just never know what people are going through, and if my kind words or actions help someone in some way, I’m happy.”
You know what else makes people happy? Farzad, Azadeh and Roham will tell you it’s Benji, their three-year-old Bernadoodle puppy, whom they describe as super quick-witted, energetic and unapologetically unaware of just how big he is. “Benji is a sweetheart,” gushed Azadeh. “He is so caring and sweet and we’re all so happy to have him!”
Roham and Farzad know that Azadeh is Benji’s favorite because he likes to play tricks on her. “One time he outsmarted Azadeh while she was eating breakfast,” said Roham. “He tapped on the door to go outside, and when she got up to open the door, Benji bolted behind her and stole her food right off the table!” They’ve also noticed that when Benji is alone in the house, he will sneak upstairs and take Azadeh’s favorite stuffed animal off her bed and bring it downstairs to his bed. “Mind you, whenever we give him soft toys, he tears them apart,” laughed Farzad. “But he treats Azadeh’s stuffed animal like it’s his own baby.”
Benji certainly adds an element of fun and adventure for the Shirazis on a daily basis, but this family has long known how to stay active and enjoy life. “We love to travel,” said Azadeh. “One of our favorite destinations is Istanbul, Turkey. It is the most magical, beautiful place on earth and so rich in history.” They have also traveled to Thailand, Mexico and all throughout Europe. Azadeh said that their next adventure will be to visit Japan. “We want to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture because we feel we can learn so much.” One aspect of Japanese philosophy that the Shirazis feel is lacking in our western world centers on what is referred to as wabi-sabi – a view that accepts three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect.
Aside from traveling the globe, the Shirazis make it a point every year to “say hi to the sea.” Whether it’s just for a day or for a week, the family will spend time with their toes in the water, as a way to show their appreciation for this beautiful earth. “We sometimes get lost in our daily lives and forget that the world is so much larger than we know,” Farzad said. “I would love to travel to space someday, though Azadeh doesn’t seem to be very fond of that idea!” Well, Farzad, these days you can take off right after breakfast and be home in time for dinner!
Back home, the Shirazis feel blessed to live in Newtown Square, surrounded by the best neighbors anyone could ask for. They said that they feel delighted that their adventurous pursuit of happiness led them to their lovely home in the most welcoming neighborhood. Over the past eight years, they said that their neighbors have become family. “We feel so fortunate to have found other families who often step in to fill the gap when we are missing our own relatives back in Iran,” Farzad remarked. Azadeh added that, “A simple walk around the neighborhood often feels like a family reunion.”
Azadeh said that they love this community so much because everyone is so accepting of diversity and that gives them the opportunity to truly be themselves. “Our friends and neighbors not only embrace our differences, but they also ask questions and are genuinely interested in learning more about our culture,” she said. “When I cook traditional Indian and Persian dishes to share, they want to know the stories behind the recipes and why I use certain spices. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
The Shirazi Family would like to thank Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors for the opportunity to share their story of how a little bit of luck has given them so much love. Azadeh, Farzad, Roham and Benji: We are the ones who hit the jackpot