Our story started in the spring of 1999. Just as nature starts to blossom during this time, so did our relationship. Teji and I met as bhangra dance partners for GW's Annual Holi Show. I actually didn't like him the first time I met him. He was so loud and loved the attention he was getting especially from the ladies on the team. He was such a goof ball. But I must admit, after a while, his humor started to grow on me. I started to look forward in seeing him. Once the dance was over, the team decided to keep in touch and ended up having a pot luck dinner one night. Tired and not feeling motivated enough to go out with the girls afterwards, Teji offered to drive me back. What was supposed to be a simple car ride home led to one conversation after another. Getting so caught up in discussions about how we grew up, what we hope to accomplish in our lives, how we see the world, and of course, our views on the Clinton's impeachment trial (this is where Teji would add, "Go Monica!"), we literally talked the night away. That morning when Teji drove away, he left with part of my heart.
During the past nine years, we spent a lot of time apart. But it taught us a really important lesson…. that we were meant for each other. Today, as we stand together…. we prepare to take the next step forward in starting another chapter of our life…this time as man and wife. I look at him and I see my best friend, my partner in crime and my soul mate.
How We Met (His Version)
OK, well as I recall, I had just transferred from Va Tech to Mason in Fall of 98. I got involved with the Indian Student Association at Mason and ended up participating in a little Bhangra dance act in coordination with the "Girls from GW". Of course, Aman was one of the girls from GW that I ended up partnering with. I had met Aman a few times here and there around the city, but it never really formulated to anything…. until the dance! So after we ended up doing the dance at the GW Holi show, she couldn't resist the Hotness that oozed from ME! That my friends, IS HOW IT ALL BEGAN!
It's been 9 years since we first met, and we've definitely hit our most trying moments so far. But that period in time where things just seemed almost completely lost, in fact, proved to be a blessing in disguise. I have definitely become a strong believer in the fact that "everything happens for a reason." And the distance that we faced in our past, brought us back closer and stronger than ever. The bond between us became fortified to an unbreakable strength, which is something that both of us thought could never happen.
It's been a long road so far, but I know our best times are ahead of us. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I met a beautiful individual like Aman and that she ended up sticking around with me! She is the total package for me, with all the goodness wrapped up into one person. Most of all, Aman truly makes me whole and completes me.
How He Proposed
We were on our way to Chicago for my family reunion. When we got to the airport Teji was adamant that we go through different security lines to save time. I of course thought nothing of it and so we went thru separate security terminals to check in. Once we got on to the plane I chose the seat next to the window, 13A. But Teji was like, "Don't sit there! Sit next to me in the middle so I can have leg room in the aisle." I didn't hesitate to move thinking its only an hour's flight. Right before take-off I see a smirk on Teji's face and I ask him what's so funny? He replies back with an explanation of how he misses the trips he used to take to come see me when I was in med school. By the way, this boy made tons of trips to come see me when I was in Belize and El Paso, Texas. And he replied, "Now look at us… I'm not coming to see you anymore, because we're traveling TOGETHER for the first time." That whole statement just melted my heart. So we finally take off and reach our altitude.
The "Fasten Seat Belt" light turns off and Teji becomes restless. He keeps looking behind him and forward. So naturally, I say, "What's wrong?! Do you need to go to the bathroom?" He replies, "Yea, I think it was that burrito I had before we left." He can be SO DISGUSTING sometimes! So he finally gets up and goes to the bathroom towards the rear of the plane. Meanwhile, I'm chatting away with this lady sitting next to me on my left and didn't pay much attention to the fact that Teji was gone for a good five minutes.
All of a sudden, there is an overhead announcement by the stewardess: "Hello everyone! Today we have a very special announcement from a young man who wants to say something to a special lady here on board. Will the lady in 13B please get up and turn around." At first I keep chatting with the lady next to me and didn't realize that I was the girl in seat "13B". The lady next to me points out "Uh, I think they're talking about you!" It finally dawns on me that I AM THE GIRL IN 13B!! At this moment my heart started beating so fast that I could hear it beating and my hands were starting to sweat. I slowly turn around and see that the whole plane is staring at me, and my attention goes to Teji, who is standing there with the biggest smile on his face.
"Hi!!" he says. Everyone laughs. He continues to say, "This one goes out to the girl sitting in seat 13B, Ms. Aman Kaur Basra. I always knew our relationship was made in heaven. And since we're flying at about 35,000 feet in the air, I figured this is the closest we're getting to heaven, for now. And I figured what better place to propose to you than up here in the clouds! You are my life and everything. And at the end of the day, you are the only thing that completes me and my day. I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long, and I know it's been A LONG TIME coming! So, with that said, Ms. Aman Kaur Basra, the girl sitting in seat 13B, WILL YOU MARRY ME??!!!"
Now I'm not one to cry a river or anything like that, but as Teji uttered those words, I lost all control of my emotional balance and burst into tears like a little child! I start nodding "YES" uncontrollably and Teji makes his way down the aisle. At this point people start clapping and cheering us on. He reaches my seat and gets down on one knee. He asks me again face to face, "Will You Marry Me?" I scream "YES!!" and the entire plane starts clapping and cheering!
We got complimentary drinks by the crew (which was Teji's favorite part) and made it to Chicago safely.
