It was June 2020, and the world had just come to a screeching halt because of the COVID pandemic. She was a busy and ambitious student with no time for a relationship. He was a laid-back and good natured software engineer who was perfectly happy with his routine, thank you very much. Bored, separated from their friends, and tired of Netflix binge-watching, the two swiped right on each other’s Bumble profiles without so much as a second thought. She liked his boyish smile, and he liked her brown eyes, and that was all, for now. Neither of them had any idea that the other would be more than just another face in a stack of dating app matches, but a couple weeks of texting and some light Instagram sleuthing piqued their curiosity. Eventually she sent him a risky text: "So are you going to ask me out now, or would you like my entire life story first?" Slightly taken aback but intrigued by her bluntness, he set a date.

They met for the first time at a biergarten on a particularly hot summer afternoon, and despite the sluggish humidity, nearly two hours flew by over gin and tonics, mac and cheese, and rapid fire banter. Kunal admired Puja’s quick wit and adventurous nature, while Puja was charmed by Kunal’s sarcastic sense of humor and genuine kindness. There under the patio lights and summer sun, the two found exactly what they had been looking for – a verbal tennis match, belly laughs, and a best friend. They adopted each other’s interests, hobbies, friends, and family, and quickly became known to those around them as two peas in a pod. By the time the leaves fell off the trees, there was no denying it – they were in love.

In the years following, Puja would complete graduate school and begin a career in media relations and Kunal would flourish in his career at the Federal Reserve. As their twenties presented them with unique challenges and opportunities, the couple found themselves leaning on each other for support and thinking about each other in every version of their futures. No matter what hurdles life placed in their path, Puja and Kunal discovered that together, nothing was impossible, and it was clear that neither of them could imagine life without the other. Together they traveled to national parks and new cities, had wild nights out and quiet nights in, tried out new restaurants, watched live music, celebrated milestones (we got a joint Costco membership!), made the city feel like home, befriended each other’s friends, grew close with each other’s families, moved in together, and even adopted a dog (Murphy, whom they proceeded to spoil rotten)!

In March 2023, with the help of their families and closest friends, Kunal asked Puja to be his wife in an elaborate, flower-filled proposal at the top of the marble staircase at the Rookery Building in Chicago. Puja, overly excited to enter this new chapter with her best friend, forgot to say ‘yes,’ and instead asked Kunal if he was sure he wanted to marry her (three times!) between bouts of nervous laughter, a fact that the couple and those who know them will always find hilarious. In true Puja and Kunal fashion, they spent the evening celebrating with their friends and family and dancing until the early hours of the morning. The night ended with a stack of funny polaroid pictures, late night snacks, and the giddy excitement of two people who couldn’t believe that a couple of right swipes and a few witty pickup lines gave rise to a modern rom-com romance.

And so we find ourselves here, preparing to stand in front of everyone we love to declare ourselves best friends, travel partners, fellow foodies, dog parents, and husband and wife for life! It’s been an exciting ride, and we are so grateful to all of you for being part of our journeys as individuals and as a couple. Being surrounded by friends and family who have cheered us on and showed us what it means to love unconditionally has played a distinct role in bringing us to our wedding day. Thank you all for your continued love and support; we are thrilled to share this chapter of our lives with you!