It was the fall of 2012 and Nandita was a freshman and Aman a sophomore at Duke. The two locked eyes for the first time and met on a dance floor at a mixer. It was not until the summer of 2013 when they started spending more time together watching Bollywood movies (Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani), taking summer classes at Duke, and getting to know each other. After a summer filled with endless conversations, sharing our favorite Hindi songs, and nervous laughter, Aman asked her for their first official date with a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a post-it-note with "will you be my girlfriend" attached on top.
On August 29th, 2019 the two officially had six years of unforgettable memories with each other under their belts. One August afternoon, Nandita was getting ready for what she thought was a family friend's baby shower when the doorbell began ringing. When she came downstairs, she heard music playing at the door and saw her little nephew Neeraj peeking out the front window saying "Aman Uncle outside." When she opened the door, she saw not just Aman but also her Didi, Jijaji, Daddy, Namita, Ritu Aunty and Sanjay Uncle ALL outside. Confused, everyone came inside and started taking family pictures (at this point, Nandita wasn't sure if the proposal had already happened and she missed it, but needless to say there were many more surprises in store). Aman soon handed her an envelope with a clue that led them to a piano at Hotel Zaza where he played and sang "Pehla Nasha" for me. For their entire six year relationship Nandita used to complain that Aman was holding out on her because he would never let her hear him sing or play the piano, he always said "he was waiting for the right time." A few more stops for lunch and "fake-out proposals" during the day they arrived at her sister's house where he said she could change for dinner. However, when she walked inside she realized he was proposing right then and there in the backyard. He had an empty pint of Ben and Jerry's with the ring inside and a post it-note on top asking her to marry him, just like his first ask for her to be his girlfriend. After getting down on one knee, he got up and immediately began what she thought was an awkward "solo" dance to You are my Soniya. Within moments of him starting, suddenly 40 of their closest childhood, college, medical school and family friends rushed in to flash-mob the rest of the song. She has never been more stunned or overwhelmed and was quite literally floored by how much love they are surrounded by with their village!
Nandita was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. And although the Dallas Cowboys soon lost their title winning ways after she was born in December '93, she grew up a die hard Cowboys fan watching religiously with her family on Sundays. Nandita's mom is from Lucknow, India and her dad from a village named Akorha outside of Benares, India and they both moved to the great state of Texas in 1974. She has one older sister, Didi, who is her ultimate role model and the world's most fun-loving Jijaji. But her real favorite humans are now her two little nephews, Neeraj and Neil Shenoy. Nandita has grown up in love with her family friends in Dallas and with her family in India, spending many summers traveling to spend time with her large extended family. She was lucky to have both her Naaniji and Daadiji live with her for a large portion of her childhood and grew a love for Hindi, Zee TV serials, and bedtime stories about Rajas and Ranis. Nandita is often known for having a bit of a southern twang and it probably comes from her love of all things Texas -- whether it's an annual trip to the State Fair of Texas (she has not missed a year since she was born), listening to country music, singing "Red Neck Woman" at Karaoke, or pushing others to just use 'y'all' -- she lives "Deep in the Heart of Texas!"
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, home to the REAL NFC East Champs #GoSkins. My parents are Delhi-ites who came to the States in the early 90s. I have one little sister, Namita aka Nammu, who’s been the Timon to my Pumbaa, the Joey to my Chandler. I’ve absolutely loved growing up near the nation’s capital and also feel so lucky for the yearly visits to India. Some of my favorite memories are playing for hours with my cousins, falling in love with my grandparents’ storytelling, and eating endless laddoos! I’m always down to try new board games, listen to new podcasts, binge another HBO show (though still recovering from GoT), and talk anything Fantasy Football or Duke Basketball. We’re so excited to see everyone soon!!