Gems of Love: Sonya and Danish’s Love Story Shines Through All Odds

This is a serendipitous love story for the ages. Sonya and Danish first crossed paths in university, became friends only after graduating, and eventually fell in love. Their love overcame all odds, including a drastic change in wedding plans, just like the brilliant shine of diamonds that are forged in the depths of the earth.

Here, Sonya recounts the precious moments that have made up their resilient love story. 

How did the two of you meet?

Danish and I both went to the same undergraduate college, The University of Texas at Austin, but barely had said a few words to each other. A year after we graduated, we ran into each other in Austin, celebrating two different friends’ graduations, talked for a few minutes, exchanged numbers, and went our separate ways to California and Arizona.

But, we kept in touch and would text all the time about new music, movies (Batman!), food, and how we both wanted to move back to Austin. One weekend I decided to go to Vegas with some friends for a tech conference, and he too ended up there for a dental conference (although I think he used that as an excuse to bump into me).  We met up with all our friends and the rest is history! Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

How long have you been together?

We first started dating in 2014 and got engaged in 2019 after we both came back to Austin, finally. Our story really is that of serendipity. We kept crossing paths until we finally took the hint, for eternity. When you can truly be yourself with someone, your love shines and it’s hard not to notice.

“We kept crossing paths until we finally took the hint, for eternity”

How did he propose and what made you say yes? Don’t forget to tell us about the ring.

The proposal was a complete surprise to me and planned in one of our favourite places – the Austin Library. We walked up to the rooftop which overlooks the lake at sunset and were just talking when Danish got down on one knee with the most beautiful ring and proposed. For a few minutes, I couldn’t even say anything because I was so shocked and happy and the ring was stunning – a cushion-cut solitaire. We hadn’t talked too much about what kind of ring I wanted or gone ring shopping, since I wanted it to be a surprise. All I’d told him was a classy solitaire – a simple but stunning natural diamond. It was like he had read my heart and knew the type of diamond I would love to symbolize this beautiful moment.

It was a magical moment that epitomised our relationship. The beautiful sunset, the intimate setting, and the dazzling brilliance of the engagement ring are all etched in our memories forever. We topped the proposal with a romantic dinner at our favourite restaurant and then hung out with our pup, who is really more like our child. It was perfectly intimate and totally us. The next day when we Facetimed our family to share the news, they were ecstatic that we were finally engaged!

What were your wedding plans like?

We were planning a big fat Indian wedding with all the pomp and splendour. When the lockdown started, the unpredictability of what is coming next made us question our priorities. We decided we wanted to be together and our wedding would be just as memorable even if we had only our closest family members with us.

Why did you choose to take the leap now?

We just trusted and had faith that everything would go fine and, to be honest, it just felt right. We didn’t want to wait, so we decided to get married in three weeks. The next few weeks were absolutely nuts. We didn’t have either of our outfits, wedding bands, photographers, or anything scoped out and ready for our wedding since we thought we would be doing it six months later. But we were resilient through it all and everything eventually fell into place, thanks to our amazing family and all the wedding vendors.

Tell us about your wedding aesthetic.

I had always wanted to wear a Sabyasachi lehenga (a yellow one at that) and the team was able to make that happen exactly with an outfit for my husband as well. It was important that our wedding bands complement each other, and our love, so we booked an appointment at the Cartier store and picked out designs together. I chose a simple eternity band with natural brilliant-cut diamonds and Danish selected the classic love band.

What do you think made your wedding so unique and memorable?

Our wedding was in the evening at my uncle’s beautiful backyard and we had thirty family members present. It was just so intimate and relaxed. We were able to enjoy it and just be ourselves, and talk to each other and all our beloved guests – which is rarely possible in a big fat Indian wedding! Despite all odds, we really managed to pull it off! 

What was the most special moment at the wedding ceremony?

The wedding was all about the two of us, and the people closest to us. What made it even more meaningful were the heirlooms the women of our families passed down to us, along with exquisite jewellery crafted especially for the two of us. For us, these priceless pieces of diamond jewellery are a tangible token of their precious love and family history that we can cherish and build upon. I have truly been welcomed into the family and how!

“What made it even more meaningful were the heirlooms the women of our families passed down to us”

This leap you both took together makes you unique and special. What do you think this says about the love you two share?

Honestly, this wedding showcased the essence of our love even more than our original plans for a big wedding. Much like our love, it has been about tenacity and faith, and we found the perfect symbols for it in natural diamonds that have withstood the test of time. And the fact that the wedding truly felt like it was just about the two of us and our love for each other, just added the sparkle to the event.

They say love knows no bounds, and the love story of Sonya and Danish is one such shining example. By choosing to walk together as husband and wife through these unprecedented times, the duo has scripted the most modern-day love story ever! Let this radiant romance inspire you to follow your heart and take a leap of faith. After all, as Sonya and Danish have shown, sometimes all it takes to forge an unbreakable bond is a little bit of serendipity, and a lot of resilience.