Grace and Vinu’s story began at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, on a crisp fall afternoon in October 2018, with a simple coffee date that turned into a timeless love story. What started as casual conversations quickly grew into shared laughter, appreciation of each other's cultures, and a friendship that turned into something special. By January 2019, they made it official — and have been inseparable ever since. In December 2019, Grace traveled to India to meet Vinu’s family for the first time, marking the beginning of a new chapter together. Soon after, life threw everyone a curveball with COVID, but the two turned that uncertain time into a season of closeness, growth, and gratitude. During those months, their little family began to grow — first with Joey, adopted in September 2020, followed by a big milestone that same December when they both graduated from UIUC and made the move to Quincy, Illinois. Life in Quincy brought new adventures, a sense of home, and the addition of their second pup, Phoebe, in October 2021. In July 2022, they moved north to Michigan, where they built a home filled with love, laughter, and plenty of dog hair. Then, on December 25, 2024, surrounded by the warmth of the holiday season and family, Vinu asked Grace to marry him — and she said yes! Now, after years of memories, milestones, and two adorable senior Chihuahuas, they can’t wait to celebrate their love story surrounded by all of the loved ones who mean so much to the couple 💙