Kristian and Sanj's love story begins the way most love stories do these days, with a swipe and a match on Hinge. Kristian had recently moved to Houston for work. Sanj was a busy third year medical student in the middle of her OBGYN rotation. Given their schedules and track record with dating, they both figured the odds were long. They met on a Sunday evening in October 2023 at Agora, a coffee shop that's a staple in the Houston community. The first topic was travel, since Kristian had just returned from a work trip in Europe, and they learned they each had ties to Denmark: Sanj studied abroad there in college, and Kristian's great-grandmother immigrated from there. They continued the date at another coffee shop, talking for over three hours. Sanj was drawn to Kristian's quiet confidence and worldly intellect. He was captured by her bubbly personality, her dedication to becoming a doctor, and the way she cared so deeply about her friends and family.

While they were both initially treading very carefully, they soon recognized there was something special between them. In the early spring, they took a trip to Fredericksburg (during a winter storm) where Sanj told Kristian she loved him and soon after, Kristian asked Sanj to be his girlfriend. Kristian continued to win Sanj over by making her delicious homemade meals and dancing with her & her extended family all night at an Indian wedding. They became each other's steady sounding board, showing up consistently. Sanj especially loved the way Kristian embraced her dog, Milo, his strong moral compass, and the way he cared deeply for others. Over the course of the next few months, they recognized that they shared similar values, priorities, beliefs, and outlooks for the future. In August of 2024, just 8 months after becoming official, but unaware of where their careers would take them, they moved in together.

They continued to support each other’s highly demanding lives. Kristian served as Sanj’s rock throughout the rest of her clinical year of medical school, the brutal STEP 2 exam, the rigorous dermatology application cycle, including months of audition rotations where he flew to visit her in cities across the country. Sanj was unwavering in her support and belief in him as he grew his company & faced many unique challenges and uncertainty as a start up founder.

They also blended their worlds together seamlessly, sharing Thanksgiving 2024 in Austin as Kristian’s parents and brother flew to Texas to spend the holiday with Sanj, her mom, stepdad, & sister. Within this time, they (impulsively) decided to adopt a stray dog, picking her up directly from the streets of Houston. Toffee is now the biggest daddy’s girl and along with her brother, Milo, is the center of their world.

In spring 2025, they were ecstatic when Sanj graduated medical school having matched into Dermatology residency in Houston, where Kristian’s company is based and Sanj’s parents live. However, as Sanj’s intern year was in Fort Worth, they had a year of long distance ahead of them. They successfully navigated long distance, learning how to become even better communicators, making them stronger than ever.

In December 2025, halfway through their year of long distance, they flew to Aruba to get their scuba diving licenses. Kristian had been carrying the ring for three months and knew he wanted to propose on the trip, but Sanj had asked to be surprised, which was proving difficult since she's usually the trip planner and had made a busy itinerary. On December 27th, they had a national park tour planned. Kristian found the guide's info on Sanj's phone and got him in on the plan. After three hours of hiking and swimming in the ocean, the guide took them to the remote Quadirikiri Cave, where Kristian got down on one knee. It was intimate and beautiful, with the light from outside shining into the rock formation in the shape of a heart, all thoughtfully planned ahead. Sanj was caught completely off guard, but had zero doubts. They called their family and closest friends, then got to enjoy the rest of the trip as an engaged couple.

In their free time, they enjoy spending time with friends family, taking their dogs to the dog park, playing competitive games of pickleball, eating at restaurants, and exploring fun nightlife.

They also share a love for exploring the world! Together they have traveled to over 15 cities and 6 (& counting) countries, lifted each other up through extremely busy careers and life challenges, and embraced each others’ families, friends, & traditions. They also recently became first time home owners! They will be in Houston for at least three more years & then are open to where life takes them!