We're getting married!!! APRIL 1, 2022

We both went to UCLA and were Facebook friends since our freshmen year, but we can't really pinpoint the exact time we first said "hello" back in 2010. Long story short, it was in 2016, thanks to LeBron James and OkCupid that our love story truly began...on our first date back in October of 2013! Building our relationship over these past 6 years included traveling to multiple cities and countries, both earning higher educational degrees, 3 moves including one across the country to Boston, Massachusetts, and to landing our dream careers back in California - these are all the foundational pieces to which we continue to build our life together. On October 9, 2020 (one week shy of celebrating our 7th anniversary), we will finally and happily be skipping down the aisle to become Mr and Mrs Manji! Our next adventure awaits and we can't wait to celebrate with all our closest family and friends ❤️

Early on in Michelle and Aaron's relationship, they enjoyed walking around Echo Park Lake, chatting and getting to know each other. This small lake in the center of Los Angeles is known for having swan paddle boats that people can rent for 1 hour. Michelle always wanted to ride in one of these boats but every time she mentioned it, Aaron would say, "next time." This soon became an inside joke where Michelle would request to ride in the paddle boats whenever they drove or walked by the lake, but Aaron would continue to defer. On August 17th, 2019, Aaron took Michelle back to Echo Park Lake on the premise of a leisurely summer stroll. When they walked passed the Echo Park Boathouse, Michelle, as usual, requested that they ride on the paddle boats. But this time Aaron said, "sure!" So surprised, Michelle backtracked and insisted she was just kidding (really!), but Aaron had already reserved a boat for them. Soon they were paddling around the lake and Michelle was utterly overjoyed. Smiling from ear to ear, they lapped the lake for half an hour before Aaron steered them to the edge. As Michelle was cued to looked up, she noticed her mom, sister, niece, and a group of friends standing on the bank, waving and taking pictures. It was then that Aaron reached into his backpack, pulled out the engagement ring box, and popped the question! She of course said YES! Aaron was so nervous that he'd drop the ring into the water, he only let Michelle see it for a few seconds before closing the box and putting it back into his bag. He then said they were going to paddle back to the boathouse so they can take pictures with the family and friends and go to a celebration dinner at their favorite pizza place. Michelle, looking a little surprised, said, "but we still have 30 minutes left on the paddle boats! ...." because after 5 years of deferring, she finally got Aaron to go on the paddle boat with her! We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you all in sunny California!