I will always remember the first night that I met Raj. In a chaotic evening filled with food, friends, and laughter, we found and gravitated toward each other. I had come to Austin for an Emergency Medicine conference, representing my program with my fellow resident from the area, Nate, who also happened to be one of Raj’s closest friends. On the first night in town, Nate planned a big group dinner at Austin’s iconic Chuy's restaurant. After picking nine of us up and squeezing the entire group into a rented, cherry red Ford Explorer, Nate introduced me to his friends, Dan and Raj. Jammed into the back of the car, Raj chatted up the entire group, getting to know each of us personally while making everyone laugh on the short, stuffy trip to the restaurant. Of all the conversations around the table that night, it was the “Fajitas for Two” that truly brought us together. After Raj offered to share the dish with me, I switched my seat to be closer to him in what would become the first of many memorable meals we’ve shared. I still remember our conversation over that dinner -- with highlights that included making fun of my small hands, my Subaru Forester, and identifying my celebrity doppelgänger as Oprah. I laughed the entire time I was with him, and knew this gregarious, generous, goofy guy had made a lasting impression on me. We all spent every evening of that trip together. Little by little, we found ways to connect after that first night. I friended him on Facebook the second night, and demanded he accept the request on the third. We sent messages to each other online, continuing the conversation long after I returned from the trip. The messages evolved into detailed text exchanges and two-hour-plus phone calls, neither of us missing an opportunity to connect over the next four months. And after all that, we finally decided to go on our official first date. So yeah, you can say that I pretty much made the first move. And I am so glad I did. :)

After “Fajitas for Two” in early 2015, accepting her friend request, and working up the courage to send a follow-up note, I fell into a steady conversation with Mandy that will span the rest of our lives. From social media messages, to text threads, to long chats on the phone (almost unheard of these days), we sincerely got to know each other. We spent hours running-through each day’s little events to sharing our families' core values. We made the time to check in with each other regularly, breaking and setting new records for the length of our calls. Finally in May, I worked up the courage to ask her out… to a concert… in Austin… despite the fact that she lived in Minnesota (I assure you, I was very charming). And somehow the stars aligned, as the brilliant, gorgeous doctor with the most endearing laugh agreed to come back and visit me in Austin. I distinctly remember the nervous excitement I felt while waiting for Mandy to arrive for our big first date. We had spent so much time getting to know each other over the past few months, but only a handful of hours together in the same room. And there she was, in-person, walking out of baggage claim. I pulled the car over, jumped out, and ran to meet her. I’ll never forget her smile as she gave me a big, warm hug to start our first (of many) adventure together. From brunch to kayaking, mini-golf and more fajitas, to a blues show that night, everything we did was filled with effortless joy. We balanced each other out, collaborated on logistics, and laughed and danced with our lovely chaperone for the weekend, my sister. Mandy’s wit, charm, intellect, and of course, her improvised dances, have completely mesmerized me. And while it has taken many more calls, texts, trips, and cross-country moves for us to finally be together, I have enjoyed every step of the way -- and I know we’ll continue to laugh, grow, and learn from each other, from that first date through all the great dates to come.

We are so excited to share our wedding celebration with you in Buena Vista, CO! This place has become near and dear to both of us, we know you will love it. Given the space where the celebration is, as well as the way the celebration will be planned, we are asking that you kindly leave your little ones at home. If anything comes up or further questions arise, please feel free to call either of us or email at ramananmiller2018@gmail.com