we're getting married!

The first time we met was during our pediatrics residency orientation week in late June 2015. We were both part of the new intern class at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Hiren describes it as "I said hi... and she said a whole bunch of things. So I said OK." One way or another, we (both) started talking more, and that winter we were scheduled to work on the hospital's 9th floor (CHAM9). We took the train in together (when Hiren wouldn't wake up too late), spent the day working together, and then kept talking nearly every night. When that month ended, our next rotations were at different hospital locations, but Hiren would come visit Katie any time he had an extended break or got out early. A real best friendship developed and grew, and before we knew it, we'd truly fallen for one other. Fast forward through finishing residency, moving on to our next jobs, and becoming New Yorkers together... now we're SO excited to start our lifetime together as The Patels!

We've had a ton of conversations about our future and marriage during our friendship and relationship, so pulling off a surprise was a feat! For December 2018, we'd planned a Christmas trip to Katie's parents' home in Florida, and we boarded our flight as soon as Hiren finished a weekend on call. Once we landed, we decided to drop Hiren off to catch up on some much needed sleep while Katie joined her parents at Christmas Eve service. But when Katie got home later that evening, she opened the door to find the perfect surprise - a candlelit trail of Polaroid photos from our 3 years together leading to Hiren in front of the Christmas tree with a ring. He said a million wonderful things and she cried a million happy tears as we made it official!

We love that our love unites two families and cultures. Our ideal wedding is a perfect blend of joining our lives together. We've decided to have one small, intimate ceremony with just our immediate families on our anniversary in the city where we met. And then we want to make sure it's followed by a huge party embracing both our cultures with our family and friends!