On November 26th, 2018, Natalie and Shash found each other at Hostel Casa de Ania in Havana, Cuba. Shash was hanging out with fellow hostelers in the common area before Natalie joined the group. He was instantly taken aback by the Scandinavian and wanted to get to know her right away. A few beers later, Shash suggested that the group go out for dinner. They decided to visit a local bar for some food and drinks. Enjoying each other's company, Shash and Natalie shared experiences from their trip. As the night came to an end, Shash asked Natalie if she wanted to hang out with him the next day, and she agreed. The following day, they walked around Old Havana. Despite not being keen on walking, Shash thoroughly enjoyed exploring the old town and spending time with Natalie. After endless chats, lunch, and a salsa dance, it was time for Shash to head back to California. They exchanged phone numbers and went their separate ways that evening, unaware that it was the beginning of something special. As soon as Shash landed, he reached out to Natalie, who was on her way back to Gothenburg. They started chatting over WhatsApp, and over the next couple of months, a few messages a week turned into hours spent together over the phone. In April 2019, Natalie flew to California to meet Shash, and the two had a splendid time. By the end of the week, Shash knew that he wanted to be with Natalie.

In 2019, Shash and Natalie spent most of their vacation time traveling together, a significant aspect of their long-distance relationship. They communicated as much or as little as necessary to maintain their connection. Natalie flew to the US three times that year, exploring sunny California. Her favorite spots included vineyards in Sonoma Valley (or vineyards just anywhere) and Lake Tahoe. Shash also traveled to Scandinavia in 2019, particularly enjoying Stockholm, Malmö and Copenhagen. They both realized the happiness associated with travel and aimed to understand what their day-to-day life would be like if they lived together. In March 2020, Natalie decided to take a break from work and live with Shash for three months. Unexpectedly, they found themselves in a stay-at-home order in California due to the widespread coronavirus. Despite the challenges, this period tested their relationship, providing valuable insights into each other during difficult times. In June 2020, Natalie flew back to Sweden amid the pandemic.

The 9-hour time difference between California and Sweden became increasingly unbearable for Shash and Natalie. They began debating who should relocate—Shash to Sweden or Natalie to the US. Ultimately, Shash took a leap of faith and moved to Sweden in February 2021. Having grown up in the heat of New Delhi, adjusting to the cold and dark climate of Scandinavia wasn't easy for Shash. However, it was time to take the relationship to the next level. The decision proved to be the right one. Natalie's family warmly welcomed Shash, and he gradually embraced the Swedish way of life, getting to know Natalie's friends as well. On June 18th, 2022, after a delightful breakfast in a lush garden at a small hotel in Valldemossa, Shash surprised Natalie by going down on one knee and asking to spend the rest of their lives together... ...and then, the rest is history!