Jay's version (2010): I was immediately attracted to and wanted to learn more about Isha when I saw her Facebook photo; I told myself I wanted to get to know her and I mustered up the courage, and unabashedly sent her a message. She was very welcoming and conversations were really fun and easy; she then gave me her # relatively soon and we hung out at the first time at Fashion Square. For me - that hangout was so special - I felt at home immediately with her, comfortable, and I felt this would be someone I automatically cared for and who cared for me in return. We then went on an ice skating date and many others thereafter, and to this day - she always remains beautiful inside & outside to me and is my biggest supporter and best friend! Isha’s version (2010): It was the first day of the best season of the year (garba season of course!) and I had always noticed Jay being one of the most energetic, fun, and enthusiastic dancers in the crowd, not to mention I had always thought he was cute too 😉, but I never had the courage to approach him. I was with a group of friends when all of a sudden, someone had tapped me on my shoulder and I turn around to see no one other than Jay Patel himself. Before I even had a moment to think of what I was going to say, Jay apologized for bumping into the wrong person (clearly me ;P) and walked away. Fast forward two months, I built up the courage to add Jay on facebook and after a handful of fun and exciting conversations, we went on our first date and the rest is history!

5.29.21 A few weeks after my birthday, Jay and a few friends planned a night at a cocktail bar in downtown I had been wanting to go for months. Hours before the proposal, I found it strange that my mom and friends were helping me pick out an outfit and get ready just to go to a cocktail bar, but I didn’t think much of it. As my friend was driving us to the bar, she deceptively mentioned she had to make a last minute stop at a wedding welcome dinner and very, very strongly urged (aka forced) me to check out the venue. I walked into a beautiful garden with pathways adorned with candles and the song Tera Hone Laga Hoon playing in the background, one of the first songs Jay and I had danced together to. As I walked further along the candle-lit pathway, I saw Jay standing on top of a bed of rose petals shaped into a heart. He grabbed my hand, keeled down on one knee and beautifully articulated how meaningful the past 11 years of our relationship had been and ended with a final four-worded question. A flood of memories and joy filled my heart, so much to the point that I almost forgot to say “YES”! We then rejoiced with our families and friends with lots of laughs, photos, followed by dinner and an unforgettable evening with a party bus celebrating us!