In May of 2015, Raj packed his bags and moved to Chicago for a job opportunity, that turned out to be more than he expected.

As Raj sat in his office, doing his due diligence on the up-and-coming dating apps, nothing seemed to pique his interest. A few months after moving to Chicago, he decided to download a different app that he had not previously used - you know - to cast a bigger net out there in the dating pool. What do you know, within the first day on the app, he matched with a Ms. Komal R.... who had coincidentally downloaded that app within a day or two as well. Raj and Komal exchanged a few messages. Within the same day, Raj felt the app had too many fake profiles and spam, and Komal was getting harassed by a lot of creepy weird men (not everyone was as charming and gentleman-like as Raj). Because of this, the two decided to exchange cell phone numbers and both deleted the app. Truly a coincidence both had signed up for the app within a day of each other, “matched” on the app, were able to exchange numbers, and delete the app. One day difference could have changed the path of destiny… or
maybe this was their destiny…!!



Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the two had started to text message each other quite a bit. Raj would eventually start to ask about plans, to hang out or meet up, and Komal would coyly mention she is busy or could not hang out *insert any weekend*



Soon thereafter, they both started chatting on the phone. This turned into several instances of talking on the phone for hours. Komal called Raj on a girls trip when she was in Nashville, and Raj thought it was cute she was thinking of him while on her trip. As per usual, Raj kept asking to meet up, to go on a date… Komal kept resisting her destiny, kept pushing the potential man of her dreams away. It eventually got to a point where Komal kept stalling (to which Raj later learned that Komal had never met anyone from online/a dating app, and was very nervous to meet Raj because of that)… that Raj was about to give up, as he often says while telling this story – that “he did not want a pen-pal.” All hope and attempts were about to be lost and finished with.



One final weekend, of which Raj thought would be his last chat with Komal, he decided to text her – just to see what was up. Raj already had plans this weekend, so he was not trying to go on a date or finally meet up. He asked Komal what her plans were this weekend, to which she (as per usual) replied:



Komal - “I have plans already…”
Raj replied - “that’s cool, so do I, I wasn’t trying to meet up this weekend…”
Komal – “I have a wedding this Saturday I am going to”
Raj – “Oh cool, I’m also going to a wedding and reception this weekend. Where is your wedding”
Komal – “Oh cool, my wedding/reception is in Hoffmann Estates”
Raj – “Oh wow, mine also is in Hoffman Estates! Whose wedding are you going to??”
Komal – says ABC’s wedding
Raj – says he has XYZ’s wedding
Raj – “I know we’ll be busy, probably can’t meet up even though we’ll both be in Hoffmann Estates, where in Hoffmann is the wedding?”
Komal – “A hall called Stonegate Banquet…”
Raj – “Wait what…?? Mine is also at Stonegate on Saturday….”



They both realized they were attending two separate wedding/receptions at Stonegate in Hoffmann Estates, one in Hall A and the other in Hall B.



Raj – “Whoa…. We’ll be dressed up all fancy, in the same building, at the same time… we HAVE to meet up!!”



Komal then proceeded to say, “sure we can meet up. I’ll let you know when speeches are done. And dinner is done…” all the cues again of making excuses to NOT meet up 😊



Finally, after several hours, Komal texts Raj – “Hey speeches are done, we can meet you in the lobby”



Raj though… who is “we?” If she is bringing a “we” I, too, shall bring a “we”



Raj gathered his siblings and headed to the lobby where he met Komal in her blue sari and her friend… for the first time!!



AUGUST 15TH, 2015. After a couple of months of talking, Raj about to give up hope, they FINALLY met in real life!!



Fast forward a couple of weeks, the two finally had a first date downtown Chicago. They spent the next couple of months continuing to hang out, go on dates, explore the city, etc. Komal had just moved downtown Chicago, on her own, and Raj was still “new” to the city as it had been only a few months since he moved. The two hit it off, enjoyed each other’s company, and started to go on more serious dates and introduce each other to friends and eventually family. After about six months of this, the two decided to make it official and throw on the titles of ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ in July 2016.



After now dating, and being official for many months, fate would have it planned that both of their leases would be ending at approximately the same time. Now, the two had spent so much time together, have been official for quite some time, they decided to look for an apartment together and move in together! (Financially it made sense. Why pay for two leases when you can split one – epic Gujju move – many of which Komal will have learned from Raj 😊 )



After moving in, they continued to build their relationship, discuss long term goals, life expectations and dreams. Throughout the course of their relationship, they experienced a couple of hardships, ie; Raj had been laid off and was in the job hunting stages in which Komal became very supportive of his lay-off and job search, became emotionally and extremely loyal and caring in Raj’s job hunt and career aspirations. Then Raj broke his ankle, and Komal double-downed her loyalty and support/encouragement, helping Raj recover, guiding him and staying very empathetic as he continued to recover and pick back up on the job search.



Throughout all this, their relationship grew and became stronger. Fast forward through a couple years, the couple had enjoyed many experiences together, vacations, time with each other’s family, and bonded over life dreams and relationship goals.



During February 2020, the couple took a trip to India with Raj’s family for Raj’s cousin’s wedding. Komal fit in so well and became everyone’s favorite in India. Raj and Komal did a trip within the trip and spent a week in Rajasthan. Not only did Raj have a few experiences and things to do planned, he had the biggest surprise planned halfway through the trip. Not only were Raj’s parents and family in India, Komal’s Mom was in India at the same time, especially within Rajasthan!! Unknown to Komal, Raj had packed the engagement ring in his carry on bag, and let Komal carry it most the trip 😊!! One night while staying with Komal’s mom and her relatives, Raj asked Komal’s mom for permission, to which she was ecstatic and said “yes.” The next day, Raj and Komal went off on their own to enjoy the rest of the Udaipur/Jaipur trip. One night, Raj had made fake plans to go to the #1 restaurant in Jaipur, but had a whole secret set up ready to go. As they waited for the Uber, Raj had the ring in his pocket, nervous, excited, rehearsing in his head his speech…. The Uber arrives and shortly after Komal realized we were not headed to the restaurant as planned. We get to another hotel, check in, and Raj tells Komal that this restaurant was better and what not…. The elevator comes and they head up. Once they got to the rooftop, the elevator doors open, a butler greets them, the guitarist is playing music, and Komal sees the private cabana “The Royal Baradarai” decorated with balloons, aromatic candles, colorful pillows, rose petals with her name, flowers, and a gourmet dinner.



He got down on one knee, took the ring out, butchered his speech, and asked Komal to marry him. To the background of the guitarist’s music, she fought back tears, covered her mouth, tried to gather her emotions, and proclaimed “YES!!!” Tears. Hugs. Happiness. Love.



The newly engaged couple had the best vacation they’ve ever had, and the remainder of the Rajasthan trip was perfect.



Fast forward a couple weeks, the couple is back in the USA and the world shuts down…. COVID-19 has struck. The couple are now tested as a newly engaged couple, stuck inside, no where to go…and they made the best of it! Truly some of their favorite times hanging out with each other and finding things to do and what not. During this time, Komal got the itch to get a puppy… Raj had always thought about it as well. As the couple could not plan for a wedding as all venues and such had been shut down, many weddings cancelled or postponed, they explored the idea of getting a puppy. Komal found the perfect breed – and the rest is history. Raj and Komal drove to Michigan to visit a little 8-week-old mini-Bernedoodle. They instantly fell in love with the little guy, and picked him up on the spot. They drove back hours and hours in a blizzard with the new guy they named CHAI, and went back home to raise the cutest, most doofus, loving, cuddly, friendly puppy ever. Chai is now a staple, the little baby, to Raj and Komal.



In May 2022, Raj and Komal decided that Chai needed a bigger and better home, and that they did not want to rent anymore. They purchased a condo in Fulton Market, Downtown Chicago, and moved into their first ‘real’ home together. It’s been a blessing ever since. Despite the ups and downs, laughs and hard times, Raj and Komal have been blessed with each other and now are blessed to be sharing the wedding day with those they love – family and friends.



We could not have done this without the love, support, encouragement, advice, without either of our families. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to sincerely say thank you and we love you all:



* Shobha Reniguntala – Mother of the Bride
* Tarla and Jitu Shah – Parents of the Groom


* Pinky (Rachna), Dwayne, Suhani, Saajan, Sahaara, Vishal, DeYandre and Imara – siblings and family of the bride
* Rakesh, Emma, Lily, Rachana, Neil and Zain – siblings and family of the groom



With Love,
Komal and Raj