Pooja & Joel

Our Story

Pooja and Joel met while attending medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. While they were casual friends at first while attending lectures, they grew closer on the football field while leading their flag football team to victory. Joel was the quarterback and Pooja was his star receiver. As the flag football season ended, they continued to hang out off the field to watch lectures, study notes, and discuss their future life plans as doctors.

After Thanksgiving in 2014, Joel asked Pooja to go out on a date with him. She reluctantly agreed... and they had their first date on a snowy night in Omaha. From then, they became best friends and each others' solid support systems while traversing through the most rigorous academic years of their lives. Joel would make Pooja extravagant breakfasts and dinners while Pooja would introduce Joel to adventurous new activities.

After 4 years, the two went separate ways career-wise, focusing on their chosen specialties and committing to spending several years apart. Pooja continued to study anesthesiology at UC Davis in Sacramento, California; Joel went on to train in radiology at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. The distance wasn't easy... but they found that their love, respect, and commitment to each other could outlast the distance. Even a pandemic couldn't break their bond, even though they went long stretches of time without seeing each other. They remain faithful and excited to remain in each other's lives, and cannot wait to spend their lives together!

The Engagement

Pooja just finished an intense week in her UC Davis pediatric anesthesiology rotation filled with 14 hour work days and minimal breaks. She was exhausted and ready for a vacation. This set the stage for the perfect surprise engagement. Family has always meant the world to Pooja and me, so having both of our families present was crucial. With everyone in on the secret, we all made our way to Las Vegas where Pooja was under the impression we would be visiting our close friends (Lauren and Damien) and would be attending an exclusive dinner with Dr. Oz at the Aria Casino.

Lauren distracted Pooja throughout the day by taking her to get nails done, practice IV placement (with no slip ups obviously), and get ready for the dinner while Damien and myself met up with family and prepared for the engagement. Pooja arrived at the hotel (after many missed turns and other delay tactics) where everyone was eagerly waiting in the suite. Once Pooja walked in, she was showered with rose petals and welcomed by family while I stood before her with the utmost excitement. Pooja was stunned and without hesitation she said yes. The rest is history.