A Serendipitous Encounter

One ridiculous meeting, a lot of distance, and one remake of a beloved card game later…

Anybody who knows me would know that the most ridiculous things can (and will) happen to me. Finding love was never going to be any different.

During a family cruise, I crossed paths with Aravind, traveling with his college rowing team, while embarking on adventures with my family. Little did I anticipate that this fortuitous meeting would pave the way for a love story resilient enough to overcome the challenges life presented.

A Serendipitous Encounter

One ridiculous meeting, a lot of distance, and one remake of a beloved card game later…

Anybody who knows me would know that the most ridiculous things can (and will) happen to me. Finding love was never going to be any different.

During a family cruise, I crossed paths with Aravind, traveling with his college rowing team, while embarking on adventures with my family. Little did I anticipate that this fortuitous meeting would pave the way for a love story resilient enough to overcome the challenges life presented.

A Serendipitous Encounter

One ridiculous meeting, a lot of distance, and one remake of a beloved card game later…

Anybody who knows me would know that the most ridiculous things can (and will) happen to me. Finding love was never going to be any different.

During a family cruise, I crossed paths with Aravind, traveling with his college rowing team, while embarking on adventures with my family. Little did I anticipate that this fortuitous meeting would pave the way for a love story resilient enough to overcome the challenges life presented.

We've been on many adventures since I've met him, but none better than any date where we're at a cafe with our set of cards.
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It was a

J

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u

n

e

y

r

R

E

M

getting to you

It was a

J

o

u

n

e

y

r

R

E

M

getting to you

On one of our trips to see each other, Aravind and I found solace in a deceptively simple game—Lost Cities. Hundreds of games in, and our connection deepened with each drawn card. Our eyes meeting with fiendish knowledge that one of us has the card the other needs. The laughter and joy with each game made me fall deeper for him than I thought possible. From Dallas to Ohio, our calls would always include a quick game of Lost Cities. Eventually, it became our sanctuary. Our game. 

If you feel inclined to, please consider buying the Original game for you and your partner.

As Christmas approached, it was clear–I wanted him to have a tangible reminder of our love melding together.

I decided to illustrate two custom card decks, each a testament to our individual identities and the beautiful fusion we were creating together. Aravind's Indian heritage and my Mexican roots became the inspiration for our Lost Cities.

As Christmas approached, it was clear–I wanted him to have a tangible reminder of our love melding together.

I decided to illustrate two custom card decks, each a testament to our individual identities and the beautiful fusion we were creating together. Aravind's Indian heritage and my Mexican roots became the inspiration for our Lost Cities.

Cultures Coming Together

Cultures
Coming Together

Cultures Coming Together

Each card became a canvas, portraying the embodiment of Aravind—his love, kindness, and consideration. I delved into a world of Indian architecture and patterns, exploring the depths of art and design he had opened for me.

Flowers revered in both our cultures adorned the cards, dancing between suits. Eight different suits, each one indicating different traits like loyalty, inner strength, family, and celebrations to tradition.

The lotus flowers being the most important symbol in several Indian traditions, reflecting the divine perfection we strive for as a couple. Which is why the face cards actually represent the Queen, the King, and the Joining rather than the Jack.

The lotus also became the main symbol because Aravind's name also means Lotus in Hindu
The lotus flowers being the most important symbol in several Indian traditions, reflecting the divine perfection we strive for as a couple. Which is why the face cards actually represent the Queen, the King, and the Joining rather than the Jack.

The lotus also became the main symbol because Aravind's name also means Lotus in Sanskrit

The boxes, inspired by our home country flags, became vessels carrying the promise of unity.

The Arabic horses, a symbol close to my heart, found their place on the cards to represent my family history, while the jaguars serve as a reminder of strength and transformation in Mexican mythology.

The boxes, inspired by our home country flags, became vessels carrying the promise of unity.

The Arabic horses, a symbol close to my heart, found their place on the cards to represent my family history, while the jaguars serve as a reminder of strength and transformation in Mexican mythology.

Pokemon card back
Pokemon card front

Each detail was tailored to emphasizing our individuality coming together to form one. The color palette is borrowed from my hometown of Mexico City, a kaleidoscope of vibrancy and excitement that the city possesses.

Each detail was tailored to emphasizing our individuality coming together to form one. The color palette is borrowed from my hometown of Mexico City, a kaleidoscope of vibrancy and excitement that the city possesses.

Each detail was tailored to emphasizing our individuality coming together to form one. The color palette is borrowed from my hometown of Mexico City, a kaleidoscope of vibrancy and excitement that the city possesses.

I really fell his old mixtape trick, but it was so endearing. Heres some of those songs "hand picked" just for you
I really fell his old mixtape trick, but it was so endearing. Heres some of those songs "hand picked" just for you
I really fell his old mixtape trick, but it was so endearing. Heres some of those songs "hand picked" just for you

Amidst the challenges of our long-distance love, I sent the green box to Aravind, keeping the red one for myself. A symbolic gesture of our shared journey, and a promise for the day when we could finally be together. These boxes held not just cards but dreams of a future where our love would know no bounds.

Amidst the challenges of our long-distance love, I sent the green box to Aravind, keeping the red one for myself. A symbolic gesture of our shared journey, and a promise for the day when we could finally be together. These boxes held not just cards but dreams of a future where our love would know no bounds.

Waiting for the gift to come in was excruciating but well worth the wait for the reaction
Waiting for the gift to come in was excruciating but well worth the wait for the reaction
Waiting for the gift to come in was excruciating but well worth the wait for the reaction

Distance brought us

Together

A tale of cultural fusion, earnest determination, and an unexpected connection that defied physical distance. The green and red boxes became our symbols of hope—a promise that one day, our hearts would beat as one, completing the deck of our enduring love.

Publishing this was hard because I knew that This would be in front of everyone, especially because it was meant for one. But writing about my love is easy and a pleasure to share. Check out my other stuff if you feel.

For

For

You,

You,

Love Andy

Love Andy