In the summer of 2020, we both joined a tennis meet-up group since tennis was one of the only "socially distanced" sports to play. The day we met, someone was playing a Hindi song at the courts. Allen asked him if he knew Hindi (he didn't), but that caught Chelsea's attention as she was right in the midst of another one of her Bollywood phases (even contemplating moving to India because, #2020 and why not?). It started to rain, so we waited on the side and started talking about all things India and Bollywood. When it was time to leave, Allen mentioned that we could play sometime outside of the group if I wanted, you know, just to save me the drive since I lived in North Austin and this group only met in the South (*wink wink*). We both agree that that was our best. match. ever. 🎾

In summer, our friends started pitching the idea of playing tennis again. This gave Allen the perfect setting to ask the big question. But just so Chelsea wouldn't suspect anything, we all played tennis a few times in the weeks prior to our engagement. Everyone knew except Chelsea that this was all part of the plan. So, July 18, 2022, was just a regular day, well at least in Chelsea's mind, but little did she know that our friends were holding a tennis court just for us. They even requested another couple to let us borrow the court just for a few minutes since we weren't going to play after the proposal. Chelsea and Allen reached the court and started their regular warm ups with friends on the other side. After a few shots, one of the friends acted like he was getting a phone call. This was the "signal" for Allen to get ready; and he was, but Chelsea was not. Taking advantage of the break, Chelsea was picking up tennis balls around the court, trying to figure out which ones belonged to us. She was facing the back wall while Allen was ready on one knee behind her waiting for her to turn. After a few seconds, Allen said to Chelsea "forget them and come here." Chelsea turned around, and to her surprise saw Allen who proceeded to ask her: "Will you be my partner for life?" After taking a few moments to realize that she wasn't dreaming (and that Allen wasn't joking), she said, "Yes!!"