Happy New Year!!
HOW DID WE MEET?
Umair and Shaista met in Nashville on Dec. 30th, 2018. Umair had moved down to Nashville a few months before and was upset that his boss (Wendy) had made him stay back to work. Little did he know it was God's plan to keep him there to meet his future wife ;) Shaista was down in Birmingham for her friend Sarah’s wedding and her siblings and their friends decided to do New Years together in Nashville. On Dec. 30 Umair was on Broadway watching the Titans game and met up with their mutual friend Moe at Jason Aldean's. Shaista, Naayab, Niki, and Raeesa had wrapped up the wedding festivities and got there a little later. Shaista went to say hi, and of course received a semi-cold response from Umair so she said bye. (P.S. if you know Umair you know about his RBF, and how sometimes it’s not very welcoming.)
So you ask, well how did they finally get together?
Shaista and Umair credit this to Naayab and Nikhita (they have a different version of the story). Ask them in person and they will be glad to share the long version, but the short version includes a random guy being too handsy, some yelling/schooling on feminism, and a big misunderstanding that brought Umair and Shaista close together. This led to some Vegas bombs and some oversharing (being a doctor means sometimes people feel obligated to share their medical info), an untied shoe, and long lines that led them to being inseparable for the night.
After that Umair slid into Shaista's DM's literally!!! He found a way to be with her all weekend long, Shaista deterred from the group a couple times to spend time with her best friend and her husband (Namita and Ameya) and Umair choose to come spend time with her. One of Shaista's favorite memories of the weekend is when the 4 of them snuck out to the dance floor and Umair was trying to get Ameya to dance while Namita and Shaista just watched. (If you know the both of them you know how entertaining that scene would be).
Thinking this might be a New Year’s fling, Shaista flew back to Fort Worth and Umair is still upset he couldn't be the one to drop her to this day (How romantic!)
Mujhse Dosti Karoge?
Umair had learned how Shaista loved Birthday celebrations, especially her own. He decided about 4-5 weeks after they first met to pay her a visit. They were very quiet about their relationship at first, and thus he couldn't come on her actual birthday weekend since she was most likely going to have other people. Her schedule left only one weekend open: Super Bowl weekend. Now if you know Umair you know he lives for sports, and the fact that chose to spend that weekend with her over his boys should already say a lot. He ended up planning that weekend full of surprises for her full of gifts, her favorite cake, and a special dinner. The dinner is a whole other entertaining story (let's just say too country for Umair). They found a spot on a whim that fitted Umair's expectations, and in the midst of dinner he asked her to be his girlfriend. And of course Shaista said yes!
Mujhse Shaadi Karoge?
The Proposal
Umair had originally planned to propose in April 2020, but COVID struck and unfortunately his original grand plan including helicopters, 200-plus family and friends, and much more was brought to a halt. He didn't lose hope, however, and knew he wanted to make Shaista his wife soon, and so he came up with another plan that was more intimate. Shaista the detective was a little too hard to surprise, but Umair still somehow managed to have some surprise elements. He proposed to her in Dallas, the city they would soon be making their home, with their closest family and friends around. Shaista loves high tea so first, he sent her out with her mother and baby sister for tea. Afterwards, Raeesa “forgot” something at home, so they all made a quick stop at the house, and that's when the magical moment began. The house was full of pictures and loving memories of their relationship and he even included her Dad in multiple ways which, of course, was her favorite part. After a wonderful speech by Umair, he finally asked her the question with her dream ring and she of course said YES!!!
Now here we are, hoping to celebrate this big year with all our loved ones near us!!