Ankit moved from St. Petersburg to Jupiter to start a new job. After a long day of starting up a new lab it was time to go out for a cold beer and some food. Ankit and Brad Howard decided to check out one of the local restaurants, Das Beer Garden. While relaxing after work, it was hard not to hear this group of locals at the end of the bar laughing and talking about “maple bacon coffee porter” day (aka "baple makon" coffee porter). True to form, Erin noticed two people she didn’t recognize and said, “Hello my friend!” She introduced them to the rest of the locals and yes to maple bacon coffee porter day as well. Later that night Ankit was telling Brad how awesome those new friends were and that one girl in particular caught his eye and that he is going to lay foundation for the long term and marry that girl someday. (no this is not a joke ask Brad)

But that is not when they started dating they were friends for a few years as Ankit laid foundation, until Erin started to get sweet on Ankit and invited herself to a music festival in Orlando that he was already going to. At the festival they realized they have very similar interests in music and life in general but still were not dating. The first day of the festival Ankit got lost and lost everything, phone wallet and his dignity, the whole nine. Thankfully a meeting spot was set up for this very possibility but they have never gone anywhere together before so it was all on Erin to show up at the meeting spot. By some miracle Erin showed up to Ankit’s rescue and they were able to get back home safely. It was at this point Ankit saw how amazing Erin was and started to really put on the charm. By January 1^st 2016 they were dating but were not telling anyone for fear of ruining the group dynamics of their friend circle. They all figured it out pretty quickly.

First a bit of a backstory.

Erin is slightly obsessed with everything Harry Potter. When she found out Ankit didn’t know anything about it, there was a movie marathon that very weekend and maybe a few hundred times after that. She insists they go to any local Harry Potter themed event and of course Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was announced that Harry Potter and The Cursed Child play was making its debut in the US on Broadway. Of course, Erin lost her mind and wanted to go see the play but there was a whole process to be able to get tickets. Long story short with Namita’s help Ankit was able to get tickets. So Ankit and Erin were off to NY to see the play.

Ok the actual Engagement.

Erin and Ankit take an extra long weekend to go to NY to site see and see the play. At the end of the play they walk back to the hotel. Ankit’s best friend Arun and his wife Shaylyn were tasked with sneaking into their hotel room and setting up the engagement surprise. Once it was all set up and the play ended Ankit and Erin went back to the hotel where she was greeted by a bottle of champagne and champagne flutes as well as a very special copy of Erin’s favorite Harry Potter Book, The Half Blood Prince. Erin opened the book to find a heart cut into it revealing the Unbreakable Vow chapter with a ring placed in the opening as well. When Erin turned around Ankit was on one knee and asked her to marry him and she said YES!