In September 2018, when Jessica Friedman Bendit and Dickran Walter Jebejian first crossed paths, they instantly knew they would forge a strong bond. These two individuals were embarking on their graduate studies at the esteemed Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles.
They were an unlikely pair, complete opposites in almost every aspect. She dreamed of marriage and children, while he remained indifferent towards those notions. Ms. Bendit exuded a vibrant personality, whereas Mr. Jebejian was more reserved. She identified as Jewish and desired to marry within her faith, while he stood firm in his disbelief in religion. She was known as a “party girl,” and he lived a sober lifestyle. She favored pop music, while he had a penchant for rock and hip-hop, amassing an impressive vinyl collection. She was ink-free, while he proudly displayed a collection of tattoos.
Mr. Jebejian grew up in Los Angeles with first-generation Armenian-American parents. His mother worked as a teacher, and his father owned an interior design and custom furniture business. On the other hand, Ms. Bendit was raised on the Upper West Side by her mother, who left her job at J.P. Morgan to prioritize raising her children, and her stepfather, a real estate developer. As a member of Resource Generation, an organization dedicated to wealth redistribution among young people in the top 10 percent income bracket, Ms. Bendit valued social justice and equality.
Although they initially functioned as friends, the dynamic between them soon evolved. They found solace in each other’s company, especially for Mr. Jebejian, who opened up in ways he had never done before. Just a month after their first encounter, Mr. Jebejian helped Ms. Bendit move furniture into her apartment. This act of kindness marked the beginning of a deeper connection. Their bond continued to grow as they shared experiences, such as watching the movie “Wildlife” and enjoying burgers together. At the end of one memorable evening, engrossed in conversation, they hesitated to part ways and eventually shared a kiss, defying Mr. Jebejian’s normally reserved nature.
The following morning, while sitting on the edge of her bathtub, Ms. Bendit found herself overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down her face, as she listened to the love song “I Think I’m in Love” by Kat Dahlia. This vulnerable moment encapsulated her realization that the person she had been searching for had unexpectedly entered her life.
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Within days of their first kiss, they ventured into serious discussions about their compatibility as a couple and their future plans, including raising children.
During a trip to Joshua Tree National Park in December, Ms. Bendit shared her intention to intern in New York City the following summer. Without hesitation, Mr. Jebejian, also known as D.J., expressed his desire to join her. He acknowledged that meeting Jess had challenged his notions of what truly mattered in a relationship and rearranged his priorities. Consequently, the couple spent the summer living with Ms. Bendit’s parents on the Upper West Side.
In September 2019, he officially moved into her apartment in Los Angeles’ Mid-Wilshire neighborhood. Ms. Bendit profoundly trusts him, declaring, “I trust him more than I trust myself.” Their conversations naturally gravitated towards the topic of marriage, involving both sets of parents in their discussions.
Ms. Bendit, 33, who prefers to be called Jess, holds a bachelor’s degree in Africana studies from Brown University. She further pursued her education, earning master’s degrees in social work and public policy from UCLA. Currently, she serves as a senior social worker for the Center for Justice Innovation, a nonprofit organization in New York City.
Mr. Jebejian, 34, attended Santa Monica College before completing a bachelor’s degree in politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Additionally, he obtained a master’s degree in public policy from UCLA. He currently works as the food policy manager for the Met Council on Jewish Poverty, a social services organization based in the city.
Their relationship thrives on egalitarian principles, leading Ms. Bendit to decide she wanted to propose as well. In March 2022, both partners simultaneously proposed to each other at the very location where they first encountered each other at UCLA. They now reside in the vibrant Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn and plan to move to Park Slope next year.
On August 26, they celebrated their union in front of 190 cherished guests on a private property owned by the bride’s parents in Salisbury, Connecticut. Their Jewish ceremony seamlessly incorporated Armenian rituals, skillfully officiated by Rabbi Jen Gubitz, the founder of Modern Jewish Couples in Boston, renowned for catering to interfaith couples. The couple exchanged vows while united under beaded Armenian wedding crowns, and during the priestly blessing, they stood enveloped in a Jewish prayer shawl. Additionally, a close friend of Ms. Bendit’s designed a unique Jewish wedding contract featuring Hebrew and Armenian text.
Emphasizing their distinctive approach to life, Mr. Jebejian conveyed in his vows, “As many of our friends and families have noticed, we do things a bit differently, and I love that about us… In you, I have found the one thing that I did not know a partner could offer: balance.”
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