The Swipe That Almost Wasn't

Every great story needs a plot twist, and theirs started with a "No." While Soumith was packing his bags in Michigan for a move to Austin, Navya was across the country, trying to "expand her horizons" by swiping left on anyone from her hometown. Sorry, Soumith!

Luckily, fate (and their best friend Gayatri) had other plans. Ten minutes after the rejection, a text arrived: "If you see a guy named Soumith, swipe right!" Soumith had recognized Gayatri in Navya’s photos and reached out. Navya’s response? "Give him my number, but make up a reason why I didn't swipe right." Gayatri, being a true friend, told him the truth. Soumith’s first text: "Hey, this is Soumith—the guy you swiped left on."

The Austin Landing & The "Big Talk"

They talked long-distance for a month before Soumith officially landed in Austin in November 2021. Their first meeting wasn't a candlelit dinner; it was a chaotic, wonderful triple date at Coconut Club and Tipsy Alchemist.

They dated for months, but as they grew closer, they hit a crossroads. They realized they were in different stages of life. With a heavy but honest "what are we?" talk, they decided to be just friends.

The Housewarming Wakeup Call

For six months, they stayed in each other's orbits. Navya tried to move on; Soumith started to realize that "just friends" wasn't enough. The turning point? A housewarming party for Gayatri and Parth. Seeing Navya move forward was the spark Soumith needed. He realized that while you can't force love (multiplication), you can always build upon it (addition).

On November 28, 2022—exactly one year after they first met—they officially started their journey.

2023 – 2024: Building Our World

Their love wasn't built on grand gestures alone, but on the daily "small moments":

May 2023: They adopted Latte, the feline love of their lives and the CEO of their household.

September 2023: They introduced each other to their parents.

Summer 2024: Navya joined the Inturi family vacation.

November 2024: Their parents met for the first time.

A Partnership of Proposals

They decided one "Yes" wasn't enough.

The Sticky Note Proposal (May 17, 2025): Inspired by a decade-old Extra gum commercial that stayed in her heart since college, Navya proposed first. She filled a studio with 257 sticky notes—each one a tiny moment, a joke, or a reason she was grateful for Soumith. It was a tribute to the idea that love isn't just the big milestones; it's the small, daily adventures that make a life.

The Austin Map Proposal (May 26, 2025):

Soumith’s proposal was a "Full Circle" tour of their life in Austin—though it nearly started with a wardrobe crisis! The day began with Nirali taking Navya for a "casual" coffee date to get her to the scene. When Soumith appeared, he realized in the excitement he’d forgotten to pack Navya’s hair and makeup. Nirali came in clutch, rushing Navya back to her apartment to get "proposal-ready".

From there, Soumith drove Navya through a curated map of their history. They visited Civil Goat (their first 1:1 date), Eleanor’s (where they took their very first photo), and Jinya Ramen (the spot where Navya first realized she had "the feels"). Each stop was a reminder of how far they'd come. Finally, on the Boardwalk overlooking the Austin skyline, Soumith proposed with a beautiful mathematical truth: in the "Addition of Love," the number 0 (the ego) gives up its power so the other can prevail. The Grand Surprise: The "Yes" was only the beginning. Soumith had secretly arranged a massive surprise celebration with their Austin community. Despite one of the craziest rain storms to ever hit the city, their Texas family including—Sanvi, Bujji atha/Anni, and Rithvik (who braved the elements to be their photographer)—made it out to welcome them. Behind the scenes, Ashni and Suhas were the heroes of the hour, corralling all their loved ones and making sure the surprise went off without a hitch. Standing there, surrounded by their friends and family who chose to celebrate them despite the storm, they realized that their story isn't just about the two of them—it’s about the incredible village that supports them.

All the Indian Engagements

August 2025: The Lagna Patrika

After the excitement of their Austin proposals, their parents brought their families together for the Lagna Patrika—their formal Indian engagement. These ceremonies, held with love and tradition in both of their family homes, served as the official "written word" of their commitment. It was a beautiful moment of transition where their personal promise to one another was wrapped in the blessings of their heritage and the joy of their parents.

December 2025: The India Homecoming

The celebration then traveled across the world for a series of unforgettable Meet & Greet events in India. They journeyed to the bustling city of Hyderabad and to Soumith’s family village, Peddivaripalem, to share their joy with their extended families.

August 2026: The Wedding!

From a "Left Swipe" to "I Do," their story proves that the best things in life aren't always linear—they’re worth the wait, the pivot, and the second chance. They can't wait to celebrate the next chapter with you!