Rani & Vanessa first met in 2013 amidst the flurry of classes and new experiences while attending college at the University of California, Riverside. Rani was entering the campus as a new freshman while Vanessa was getting ready to start her second year as a sophomore. Rani had always admired Vanessa from the get-go, but, with all of the initial excitement of being in their first years of college (and Vanessa thinking “Hmm, I’m not sure I want to date someone younger than me”), they both decided it would be best to pursue a beautiful friendship, instead. As the years passed, they became inseparable - sharing laughter, late-night study sessions, and unforgettable adventures. Early on, Vanessa was chosen to become a White Carnation Sweetheart for Rani’s fraternity (go Delta Chi!) and their bond grew even stronger. They explored hidden corners of the campus, danced under the stars at parties, and cheered each other on through every triumph and setback that presented itself. Despite their close bond, graduation day loomed on the horizon. Vanessa decided to extend her college journey by a year to take on a minor in Business Administration, which ultimately meant that they would now graduate the same year. And so, in 2017, the stars aligned and the two were given the opportunity to graduate on the exact same day, sitting side by side to one another. As they bid farewell to college life and returned to their respective hometowns - Vanessa to San Diego, Rani to Glendale - they faced a new chapter in their friendship. Being as close as they were, they continued to see one another on the weekends - now eager to celebrate the first stages of their post-college adult life together. With each visit, their friendship deepened into something more. Finally, one day, they found the courage to take a leap of faith and pursue something more than “just friends”. With all of the nervousness in the world, they confessed their feelings to one another, knowing that their friendship had blossomed into a love that was worth exploring. From that moment on, they embarked on a new adventure together. Throughout the first 2 years of their relationship, Rani & Vanessa became Amtrak VIPs as they continued to take trains back and forth to one another every single weekend. Finally, in late-2019, Rani was offered a position to work at a highly-esteemed government company in San Diego. With all of the excitement in the world, Rani moved down to San Diego and the two officially moved in together. As they looked towards the future, hand in hand (and with their new puppy, Zeus!), they knew that their journey was just beginning. Their love story was a testament to the power of patience, friendship, and the belief that, sometimes, the best relationships are worth the wait ♡.