4 minute read
Meet the Patel Family: Always a Reason to Smile
www.DanvilleLivingCA.com @DanvilleLivingCA #DanvilleLivingCA
By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017
When both siblings and friends tell you they have the perfect person for you, it’s time to listen up. Even when that person is literally on the other side of the country. For Bijal and Meetal Patel, that is exactly what happened.
Bela, Meetal, Nikhil, and Bijal Patel
Bijal grew up in Hanford, CA. A graduate of St. Mary’s College, he was working in the Bay Area when he was introduced to his future wife. Meetal, who grew up in a small suburb of Boston, MA, was still in graduate school at Northeastern University when the two connected. They began their relationship navigating the very long distance between East Coast and West Coast, and now, married for 15 years, it was a risk worth taking.
Meetal is a physician assistant at BASS Medical Group, proudly working with Dr. Andrew Smith. Bijal is the Managing Director at Rocket, Inc, an AI/ML recruiting firm in San Francisco.
Disney fun
Bijal spent all four years at St. Mary’s College on the tennis team and continues to play several times a week. The whole family, including Bela, age 12, and Nikhil, age 8, love to hike locally on the weekends. As far as team sports go, the whole family loves to root for the Golden State Warriors. Because they’re representing both coasts, even the kids have chosen sides when it comes to two teams in particular,
Go Warriors!
Nikhil is a student at Montair Elementary, where mom, Meetal, sits on the PTA Board. He loves to play basketball and is now learning tennis at the Crow Canyon Country Club. Bela, who attends Charlotte Wood Middle School, plays cello in the school orchestra, and also performs Indian classical dance. Both Nikhil and Bela are very musical. “The kids have been at Reeder Music Academy for several years for their piano lessons... They have excellent teachers and strive constantly to give the kids their best learning experience.” In the kitchen, everyone enjoys baking together.
Bela Patel
Five years ago the Patel family moved from out near Blackhawk to their current west side home. They were able to find a spot that needed a little love, but has a nice spacious yard for the kids to enjoy for years to come. About their neighborhood, they said, “Over the years, we have been touched by the warmth of the people in this community.”
In their enclosed neighborhood, the Patels have grown close with many of their neighbors, often celebrating holidays and other special events with their friends. “Since we have no local family, we are very fortunate to have wonderful neighbors! On the very first day we moved in, we were greeted by our next door neighbors with warm smiles and lemonade. They were quick to share their contact info and offer help in case we needed anything. They have proven true to their word.” There are plenty of kids in the neighborhood, so drive slow- chances are they’re outside playing!
Nikhil Patel
One of the family’s mottos is “Family Sticks Together.” Their extended families are spread throughout the country, but they make a point to come together for special occasions and in times of need. Bela and Nikhil have been traveling since they were each about six months old. Every year the family makes the trek to chilly Boston to visit Meetal’s family during the winter holidays. If you’ve never been to the east coast in the winter - it is cold! So the Patel’s also enjoy jumping across the Pacific Ocean and visiting Hawaii. Their favorite trips, however, are quick, local ones here in California - Santa Cruz, Monterey, whitewater rafting on the American River.
Always ready for an adventure!
One of the other pillars of the Patel family is community service. They are active in both schools that the kids attend as well as organizations like Kids Against Hunger. Their drive to give back to their community comes from loving their community. Not only have their neighbors and friends been integral in celebrating life’s big moments, so have some of Danville’s local hot spots! Bijal and Meetal celebrated their first wedding anniversary at Piatti’s, in the Livery, fifteen years ago. Whether they know it or not, that restaurant has been a part of a young couple growing up and turning into a family.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.
