How we met? Gowri and Ajay matched on Dil Mil in Spring of 2023 while they were both watching season 3 of Indian Matchmaking, which naturally became the topic of their opening conversation on the app. Though some might question Sima Aunty’s matchmaking skills, she serendipitously sparked a real life successful love story with us. They initially bonded over their shared strong opinions on the characters in the show and quickly realized they had a lot in common. The first date Their conversations evolved from texts to FaceTime conversations and ultimately culminated in their first in-person meeting on a rainy July weekend in Philadelphia. They found themselves holding hands as they ran in the rain. Ajay later commented that this reminded him of a scene from the movie “The Notebook,” which Gowri found cheesy but romantic. Meeting the parents Their families met each other over Thanksgiving break, a rather fitting time/occasion, in Ajay’s parents’ home in Troy, Michigan. The parents were so ecstatic about their kids finally on the verge of settling down that they found themselves talking about the specifics of wedding plans. They knew it was done deal when Gowri’s dad pulled out his travel karaoke machine and began singing Kannada songs with Ajay’s dad! The proposal On the first weekend of the new year, Gowri and Ajay went on another one of their trips, this time to Arizona. On Friday, January 5th, 2024, they drove up from Phoenix to Sedona for a hike at scenic Cathedral Rock, where Ajay popped the question. Gowri had dropped multiple not-so-subtle hints over the previous months that she was hoping that Ajay would propose on the Sedona trip, but Ajay had kept her guessing by refusing to make any promises. It was safe to say they were both giddy to finally be engaged! But wait! Ajay wasn’t finished with the surprises just yet! When they arrived at The Hudson for what Gowri thought was a post-engagement dinner for just the two of them, she was shocked to see her and Ajay’s parents and her brother Divakar sitting at a table waiting for them! They had a wonderful family dinner and enjoyed the rest of the weekend together.