July 1, 1998 - David Choo

Father Joon Soon Choo, Mother Tong Ching Koh, Older Sister Chrislyn Choo

August 26, 1998 - Anica Bhargava

Grandpa Brijendra Nath Bhargava, Grandma Manju Bhargava, Father Rishi Bhargava, Mother Poonam Bhargava, Younger Sister Saanya Bhargava

Jersey to Illinois

Although they grew up only 20 minutes apart near Princeton, David and Anica’s paths never crossed while there. It was only when they both committed to UIUC in 2016 that their mutual friend, Caroline, mentioned each other’s names in passing.

Caroline briefly showed David a picture of Anica as a reference, but once school started, classes ramped up, the connection was forgotten, and life continued on.

October 5th, 2017

Then, at the beginning of their sophomore year, David was working in the engineering lobby after their (unknowingly shared) CS lecture. Shortly after, Anica happened to take the empty seat across from him.

David looked up, and quickly did a double take. Isn’t that the friend Caroline showed me a photo of a year ago? It seemed so implausible—yet after quickly searching her name on Facebook to confirm, he was certain it was her.

“This might sound crazy, but… are you Anica?”

They were so excited to meet, and they both sent Caroline a picture… documenting the start of their journey!

Over the next few weeks of chatting over stories of NJ and the struggles of college, they quickly became best friends.

Later, David confessed he had feelings for Anica on a courtyard hammock!

Nov 2nd, 2017

After a long month of friendship, they finally begin dating. The next day, they attended one of UIUC’s infamous “barn dances.”

This photo surfaced from a friend’s phone 5 years later!

Jan 2018

After less than two months of dating, Anica and David go long distance for 8 months! Anica studies abroad in Madrid, then David completes a summer internship in Boston.

Mar 2020

Both are sent home for spring break, and due to COVID-19, they complete their degrees virtually from Jersey and begin working fulltime. Since everybody is remote, they make a lot of fun memories with each other’s families!