We are getting married!

Arpan and Ashima's love story is a true Bollywood tale - it has the twists and turns of a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai but the suspense of a Dhoom. Through it all Arpan and Ashima were lucky enough to fall for each other. Thanks to a mutual friend - let's call the friend 'Hinge' - Arpan and Ashima were matched as a couple. Arpan had been wandering the single waters of Chicago while Ashima had been running away from some of the 'fish of the sea'. Fortunately, Arpan saved his smoothest pickup lines for Ashima to woo her into a date. Their first date was like a scene straight out of a romantic comedy - rooftop bar, summer night, riverwalk stroll - everything you would imagine. Arpan learned two important things from this date - what an Aperol Spritz was and to never abandon Ashima at the bar for 15 minutes to say hi to high school friends that he hadn't spoken to in 9 years. Ashima learned two important things from this date - Arpan may not be the smartest fish in the sea but he can rock a polka dot shirt quite well. The date showed promise for the young couple! The next few months were an exercise in pursuit. Arpan and Ashima went on a few dates and got to know each other well. Arpan learned about wine and Ashima learned about Arpan's secret downtown taco places. Ashima learned how to be Arpan's photographer while Arpan learned how to be Ashima's chauffeur. Even during 2020 they became quite the quarantine buddies. As they got to know each other a partnership slowly formed. Acquaintances became friends, friends became family, and family became loved ones. Arpan decided it was time to commit and where else to drop a knee than where it all began - the riverwalk! During a scavenger hunt in downtown Naperville Ashima found Arpan (donning a polka dot shirt) at the end of the Naperville Riverwalk. With family looking on from the overhead bridge Arpan proposed to Ashima after stuttering through his pre-written speech. Since that day it’s all been a big countdown to #BatraGoesROYal.