( CNN ) -- Ayat Al-Qassab carefully slipped the beaded satin wedding gown over her small frame . She peered at herself in the rusted mirror and cautiously smiled . For a moment , her war-torn world was transformed and she was a beautiful bride -- free , safe and happy . Boom ! A mortar shell exploded somewhere near her Syrian home in Homs , waking her from a daydream . She quickly wrapped a white headscarf tightly around her hair and prepared to leave for her wedding . Only a week earlier , Al-Qassab met her husband-to-be , Mohammad Jumbaz . Their families had coordinated the introduction . He was a pastry chef and part-time fighter for the rebel Free Syrian Army which wants to oust President Bashar al-Assad . She was 18 and from a family who did n't like the al-Assad government . They took no lingering looks across the room , and time did n't stand still when their eyes met . They simply chatted as Syria 's nearly 20-month-old civil war rumbled in the background . `` I had a feeling in my heart , '' Jumbaz said , recalling that day . `` I can not describe it to you . '' During the interview , a shell boomed in the distance . `` In a time when we are under siege and there are sounds like this , I told my mother I decided to fulfill half my religion and to get married , '' he said , `` and without ever even seeing my bride , everything went perfect . '' Al-Qassab agrees . `` We saw each other and we liked each other , '' she said , `` and in just one week we were married to each other . '' Marriage as revolution . Homs has borne the brunt of the Syrian military 's wrath since violence broke out nearly two years ago in the nation . Many who live in the city consider it to be the unbowed guardian of the Syrian revolt . A massacre in the spring killed scores of women and children . There , even marriage is an act of revolution . `` We must get married . Our lives must continue , '' Jumbaz said defiantly . `` We have not surrendered , and we will not surrender . This is a promise . A promise we will keep , God willing . '' Out of respect for the dead , the couple held a small ceremony in the family apartment rather than a traditional large and noisy Syrian wedding . `` It was not appropriate to dance and play music , '' Jumbaz said . `` We recently received the body of my martyred brother , and many other families have martyrs as well . So it was a small family affair . '' Speaking via Skype , the couple seems to have little interest in chatting about romance or the frivolities of weddings . Instead , both are enthralled with their love for revolution and an ancient country that appears lost to war and strife . `` I wore a white dress , but we did not have a traditional wedding because of this animal in power , '' Al-Qassab said . `` We hope once the regime falls we can have a wedding , because our happiness is the end of this government . '' The couple spent their honeymoon at home , struggling to survive as al-Assad 's forces relentlessly shelled Homs . But Al-Qassab said she is very happy to stay . `` Here , we have our pride and we are defending our nation , '' she said . `` I would prefer my honeymoon to be here amid the bombs and shells then for me to abandon my nation . '' In the Middle East , where arranged marriages are common , there is an Arabic word for love after marriage : `` ashra . '' It means the love from living life together . It is emotion based on mutual respect , understanding and a need for a partner to survive all life 's struggles . `` I am not upset that I got married under these circumstances , '' Al-Qassab said . `` The opposite . I am proud that I married one of the revolutionaries , and I am proud to be here in old Homs defending my nation and my dignity . '' Now , after more than a year and a half of violence , living life amid the constant killing and dying is the greatest form of rebellion for the couple . `` I took this step , because I am a man who has faith in God and destiny , '' Jumbaz said . `` The days that passed were very hard on us . I still thank God for everything , but I felt something was missing in my life . I do not know how to describe it . `` Every day was a struggle , but something was missing . '' A baker becomes a fighter . Before the Syrian civil war turned Homs into a conflict zone , Jumbaz owned a baked-sweets business , selling cakes and candy to the mainly pro-government Allawi and Christian districts near his native neighborhood in Homs ' Old District . `` When my brother was killed , I decided to return to my community and support my people , because what was happening was unjust , '' he said . `` Seventy percent of my friends have been killed in this and that massacre . This is an unbearable level of injustice . '' Al-Assad must be tried for war crimes , he believes . Jumbaz joined the rebel Free Syrian Army and fought alongside other members of the armed opposition to liberate an opposition enclave in Homs . While the Old District remains under siege and constantly sustains shelling and mortar fire , Syrian troops remain outside the neighborhood , stationed along the outskirts of the suburb . `` There are enough Free Syrian Army troops to protect us now , but I noticed how difficult the situation is around us , '' Jumbaz said . Now , Jumbaz spends his days kneading rations of flour and bits of butter into dough , creating sweet , creamy Syrian desserts . `` The kids wanted sweets and many of the women were craving desserts , so I am trying to bake sweets again , '' he said . Faithful and not afraid . Al-Qassab said she visits her parents and relatives every day to help with household duties , and she checks on the well-being of her neighbors until the evening , when her new husband returns home . `` I am not afraid of anything happening to him , and I thank God . We are all willing to sacrifice our lives for Syria , '' Al-Qassad said . `` I thank God above all else . '' Another single loud explosion thundered in the background as they spoke . The couple did n't even flinch . `` I pray no one is hurt '' Jumbaz calmly said . He turned to his wife , who wore a faded purple coat and tight black headscarf . `` Please , go ahead , '' he said , kindly signaling her to speak . `` We will not surrender , God willing , '' she said . `` We are walking along the righteous path . My cousins , my neighbors , the children of my neighbors all died , and many more have lost their lives . But I am not sad . We will be victorious in this life and the afterlife . '' Al-Qassab looks older than her 18 years , and she speaks with impenetrable courage and bravery that generally masks any semblance of a giggling blushing bride only a few weeks into her marriage . `` We were married September 13 , 2011 , '' she said before finally cracking a smile and beginning to laugh . `` I mean 2012 . '' She turns to her husband , blushing and embarrassed . He looks down to hide that he is laughing , too , instead mumbling to correct her : `` 2012 . '' Nothing it seems but sheer faith in God moves the newlyweds and inspires them to love , and to fight and resist forces in Syria they feel must end . After nearly every sentence , they defiantly say `` Alhamdulillah , '' a common Muslim phrase meaning `` I thank God . '' `` My only hope is that this monster will be removed from power so we can live in peace and our children can live in peace , '' Al-Qassab starts . `` And if not our kids , then the children of our community even if we die , '' her husband adds . `` Alhamdulillah . ''
Many people are determined to live their lives despite a war in their nation . Ayat Al - Qassab and Mohammad Jumbaz survived artillery shelling during their honeymoon . Their wedding is a symbol of the fight against Bashar al - Assad . ` ` We will not surrender , God willing , '' they say .