Chinna and Erica met as rivals while interviewing for the University of Texas at Austin’s school psychology program. Despite competing for the same spot in the program, they spent the day entranced with each other. UT realized that their program was big enough for the both of them, and their relationship then blossomed in Austin. They came together over their love for the outdoors and live music, frequently getting lost in Zilker Park while playing with their dog or during music festivals.

Chinna and Erica have taken yearly vacations to Catalina Island since moving to California. As the 2019 visit marked Erica's completion of Chinna's seven-year vetting process, Chinna orchestrated a surprise bicycle tour during their 2019 visit. As they left their hotel room for the tour, Chinna gently suggested to Erica that she might want to wear some makeup (for surprise proposal pictures - Chinna will never live this down), but Erica was otherwise oblivious to the proposal plan which the rest of the tour group was privy to. When the tour reached the most scenic view of the island, Chinna popped the question!