Aaditya and I met during our intern year at UAMS in July 2013, where we had matched for residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Quickly becoming friends, we would often enjoy live music with mutual friends and joke with each other. At the end of our third year, we’d been selected as co-chief residents. We were finally on our last year of a long, tedious journey into realizing our dreams. Little did either of us know that all that time would pay off with love, friendship, and commitment to marry someone who brings joy to every aspect of each other’s life.
Though chief residency required more time commitment, it also brought us closer together while working on presentation and modules for the other residents. During a New Year’s Eve party in which we had been each other’s “friend-date”, we both noticed a spark of something different. We initially ignored the new flirty nature of our friendship, but eventually, Aaditya worked up the courage to ask me out on a date (on Valentine’s of all days!). Later in the week, we went to enjoy one of our favorite jazz artist. we’d halfheartedly invited others to join, and were both relieved when no one accepted the invitation. While waiting for a table at the jazz restaurant, a stranger, after asking us if we were a married couple, explained that we “obviously liked each other”. (Thanks random guy!)
It wasn’t until we’d sat at our table that Aaditya admitted the stranger may have been on to something. I explained I was developing feelings as well. We continued to date and our love started to blossom through the summer. We’d coincidentally selected jobs within an hour of one another which turned out to be very convenient. On March 11, 2018, Aaditya proposed and I happily accepted.
We’re so happy that we ‘matched’ to be at UAMS, but to find a real love match is the ultimate happiness.