Chai and Elay used to frequent the same coffee shop on Saturday afternoons. Chai would be studying for her graduate school classes, while Elay would be swinging by to grab a coffee. This is where they first met! They spoke about their work, favorite foods, coffee, cars, music...you name it! They ended up conversing until the coffee shop closed; the owner had to escort them out! They wish they could have stayed longer on that day. In that moment, both Chai and Elay could feel that this was the start of something really special!
Chai and Elay met over their love of coffee, so naturally they like to spend the weekend afternoons trying out new cafes. They also enjoy staying active by taking hikes, playing tennis and badminton, and strolling through farmers markets. Before the lockdown, they would frequently meet with friends and play board games, host spike ball tournaments and visit restaurants around the Bay Area.
Elay told Chai that he had a special picnic planned for them. Chai was excited, as they had not been on a picnic in a long time due to the lockdown. Chai started getting a bit suspicious when Elay evaded any question she had about the picnic and what foods he packed! After an hour of driving, they pulled up to the Palace of Fine Arts. It was a beautiful location for a picnic. After this, everything happened in a flash. One moment they were walking, the next Elay was down on one knee, and Chai was in tears! It was perfect! :)
Right after the proposal, Chai and Elay called their parents. Everyone was so thrilled, and both parents teared up a bit (even though they'll deny it). That's when Chai learned that Elay had been planning for months, he had asked the parents for their blessings and everyone had been in on the plan.