It’s incredible to see when the small, minuscule decisions we make alter our lives in monumental ways. That’s exactly what happened the day I asked Selby to stay just a little while longer for a Houston Cougars Football game nearly a decade ago. Something so insignificant, at that time, was actually the seeds that were sown which would eventually grow into the love I have for Selby today. The day I first met Selby was actually prior to that game on an eventful night sometime in April 2011. Selby Lukose (My best friend’s name is Selby as well…I know) and I were celebrating our 21st birthday together at “the house” that evening. So many people were invited and I really didn’t know the majority of them. We participated in some indoor sports, toasted to our birthday and mingled with many new faces. Typical of any college night in Houston during that era, our group found our way to Rice Village. Of course, now that Selby Lu and I were 21, we didn’t have to go Call of Duty mode trying to crawl our way into Brian O’neal’s or Baker Street, so we started the night there. After about 2 hours, as we partook in libations, we decided to walk over to Bronx Bar. While walking in, I instantly noticed two Indian girls sitting on the couches that were previously at “the house”. My friend Nidhin came to visit that weekend and was with me at the time. He eventually convinced me to accompany him to introduce ourselves. Those 2 girls were Sherin Philip (Sherin Mathew now that she married my cousin Joseph) and Selby Jose. This conversation didn’t last too long, as from what Selby says, my initial impression wasn’t flattering whatsoever. This encounter led to many awkward interactions which occurred during our walks to class where our paths crossed in front of MD Anderson Library at the University of Houston. To this day, I still have no idea why I was so nervous to talk to her. Maybe it was me being embarrassed about my birthday night? Maybe I was just too shy to talk to girls? Who knows. Selby, being the sweet social butterfly that she was, would always approach me and spark casual conservation. These dreaded confrontations lasted from April to October of 2011. During the Fall semester that year, Selby and I were both involved within our social clubs and were elected onto the board. Since our clubs were South Asian, we would team up to do fundraisers and social events on and off campus, forcing us to interact more. One of these events would be at a Houston Cougars tailgate. For some reason that day, I was a bit more confident and made more of an effort to talk to her. At the end of the tailgate, all our friends decided to go home and not watch the game, however my roommate Jerril Mathews and I wanted to stay and watch Case Keenum tear it up on the field. I saw that Selby’s group had pretty much packed up to leave so that’s when I asked if she wanted to stay and watch the game. At first I could tell she was hesitant but Selby ended up asking her friend Roshni Thomas to stay with her. After they agreed to join us, the rest is history. Did I know I’d be taking my future wife to that football game? Nope. I’m glad the stars aligned in our favor that day
I know you all have read Andrews point of view, but here is a glimpse into mine!
In 2010 I was officially a freshman at the University of Houston, ready to begin what was going to be the best four years of my life. I had a wonderful group of friends, I rushed Sigma Sigma Rho, and met so many new people. Little did I know the upcoming year would change my life forever. One night after a meeting, Sherin asked me to accompany her to a birthday party. I asked her who’s it was, and she said Selby Lukose (a fellow kna) and a friend of his. I was always ready to party, so I said okay!
We went to the famous Beta Chi house and met up with friends to pre-game. We met Selby Lu with no sign of the other friend, then headed to Bronx Bar in Rice Village (RIP). Sherin guided me through the crowd to the couches. I was having casual conversations with friends when Andrew and his friend Nidhin came to talk to us. Andrew introduces himself to me and after I tell him my name, he says something that was less than flattering (ask me about it on your own time). So that ended our conversation! He then quickly buys Bronx’s famous test tube shots, we four cheers, and I leave...
Regardless of our short and awkward encounter, I never ignore a familiar face. I saw him around UH and would always say hello and have a quick chat with him. After a little while I thought I would stop because he always seemed so nervous around me! So I stopped. Then came football season and Beta Chi Theta (Andrew was president!) decided to host a tailgate with Sig Sig Rho. We didn’t really interact too much there except for pictures and small talk. Once it all ended, my friend Roshni and I were going to stay back for our first UH football game. So, we helped pack things up into one of the BXO guys car where Andrew and his roommate Jerril helped. Andrew casually asks what our plans are, and I explained to him that we were attending our first game. So, Andrew and Jerril decided to join us! I looked at Roshni super nervous because all I knew about football was what a TOUCHDOWN was, and now these two guys were going to be aware of that!! We walk into the stadium and Andrew asks if I would like a beer. I said no, and after some banter we decided to share a pitcher... and we ended up sharing about 5 pitchers that game! These beers at college games are not cheap—so somebody was spittin’ game. He then put his number into my blackberry as “Andrew, let’s go to the village” so he could make up for the first time we met. We shared beers and phone numbers that night and have been sharing since.
I’ve always prayed about my life choices and if the decisions I made were right, because who really knows? Andrew has left a mark in my life. I now know everything that I have prayed for was meant to be. God gave me you, my beauxby. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you! See you at the altar my love.