August 19, 2016
When on their wedding day seven years ago Richard and Nazanin promised to love each other “for better or for worse,” they never imagined what that would come to mean.
Sunday was their seventh wedding anniversary. It was also Nazanin’s 133rd day alone in an Iranian jail.
On Sunday, Richard commented, “When we said ‘for better or for worse,’ we never thought it would take us to this place. But this anniversary I wanted to say that even now I am glad of being with her every day. I know Nazanin sits now in prison worrying over what has happened to her family and work, made to feel guilty that she has brought trouble on them. But the better will come again. We will survive.”
Around 30 of the couple’s friends and family joined Richard at London’s Millennium Footbridge over the Thames Rivert Sunday to lock 133 lovers’ padlocks and to tie colored woolen memory knots on its railings. The seventh anniversary is traditionally marked by wool in the English-speaking world.
Richard said: “Amongst all the politics, today is a time for cherishing the beautiful person I married. I don’t always remember to say it clearly in my campaigning. But I am proud of Nazanin. I am proud that seven years ago she agreed to be my wife, and to build a home together. I am lucky that she has given us such a cheeky spirit in [two-year-old daughter] Gab-riella, and that she has cherished her and me so keenly.”
The gathered supporters signed a book of messages that Richard plans to show to Nazanin when she comes home.
He also launched a new Twitter campaign with the hashtag #trappedinIran. Supporters were encouraged to tie their own memory knots at locations close to their own homes and to post the pictures online.
He chose the Millennium Footbridge, as it was one of Naz-anin’s favorite spots from the days when they went on walks as students.