I have found the one whom my soul loves

I did not run into my Aladdin at the marketplace for the first time. I came across a handsome man’s profile on Dil Mil and swiped right. It was an instant match! After matching, I sent “Hi Biju” not expecting we would talk for more than a day or two. A few hours later Biju responded and we began to message back and forth. Within a couple of days, Biju sent me his phone number and we began texting. From texting to phone calls to video calls to watch movies together, it was evident we liked each other. Then when I had the chance to attend a wedding in LA, I took this opportunity to suggest to him we should meet. I was nervous to ask but glad I did. Our first date began at 8 am where Biju picked me up and greeted me subtly with a rose on the inside door handle. Knowing I did not have time for coffee, our first stop was to Starbucks. We then went to see a pirate house, walked along Newport Beach, and played pool. The highlight was getting to act posh and checking out Open Houses to see multimillion dollar homes. We laughed, made jokes, made up stories, and even had serious conversations which in retrospect were important. I went back to my hotel that day thinking “what an amazing first date”. I did not think he was interested in me. I thought he was being a gentleman and followed through with plans. I went to the wedding in the evening and had Biju on my mind. I woke up the next day with a good morning from Biju. He suggested I should check out a few things around town before I leave. Although they were great ideas, my sister and cousins were asleep and I wouldn’t have company. Eventually he decided to be more clear and it turned out he wanted to see me again. So I jumped out of bed and told him to give me an hour to get ready. All I could think was “So..he DOES want to see me again!”. Then he responded with “I took the leap of faith and am already on the way”. We ended up having a taco lunch with the view of the beach. It was a nice way to say good-bye for now.

When I got back home we had the courage to ask each other about our first date. We were mutually nervous but also had a great time. We were straight forward about our intentions which was possible because of how he made me feel comfortable. A couple of days later he told me he might have an opportunity to come to Chicago for work. I tried not to get my hopes up too much. Instead I prayed for a sign from God to show me if this is meant to be. By the end of the month, he drove ~2000 miles to Chicago. While showing off the amazing city of Chicago we made more memories together. I had him try Chicago staples like deep dish pizza, Portillo’s, and Chicago style hot dogs. We also explored the city of Chicago together. As we spent more time together, I was more and more sure he was the man I have been praying for. We made our relationship official and received the blessings of our parents and siblings to prepare for our next journey. Biju moved to Florida for his next project and this started a new chapter of our relationship. As any couple in a long distance relationship we had our own challenges and good times. God’s plan has been greater than our own. We were given opportunities to learn about each other and therefore we have grown as individuals and as a couple by the grace of God. As if long distance wasn’t hard enough, Covid-19 made it even more interesting. However Biju did not let it stop him from making a stop in Chicago on his drive back to L.A so we could see each other. And eventually Biju returned to Chicago to see what Chicago autumn and winter is all about. :p In all seriousness, it was while overcoming our challenges we understood even more what we meant to each other. Over the course of our relationship, I’ve realized Biju means more to me than I could have ever imagined when I first messaged him. He keeps me entertained and helps me become a better version of myself. I am beyond blessed to call this caring, supportive, and loving man my husband soon!

My love story with Jasmine begins with a picture. The first chapter started when I came across a photo of her with someone I knew, and instantly I had to know who she was. I put my intentions out into the universe, wondering how to figure out who she was, how to get to know her, and as if by an act of God, we matched on Dil Mil just a few days later. The next chapter began with a "Hi Biju" from HER, because I was too nervous and spent a little too much time trying to figure out the perfect way to start the conversation. We spoke for a few months, started to video chat, and got to know each other from across the country. The big opportunity came when Jasmine came to California for a friend's wedding. As excited as I was nervous, we finally met in person on the shores of Newport Beach, CA. Our first meeting consisted of walking the pier, playing billiards/pool, getting free food, and attending $20 million open houses! Quite unusual I know, but it certainly was a good time and I knew she was the one for me by 10am that day. I felt we were both at a point where we could be honest about what we wanted in life, and we had a long, meaningful conversation about many important things on that very same night. By the time she left LA, and flew back to Chicago, I was once again putting my intentions out into the universe.... how can we spend more time together and get to know each other? Once again, God, fate, the universe, whatever you believe in... opened the door and I took the chance with some encouragement from my closest friends to move across the country to CHICAGO. The next chapter was an amazing one... we got the chance to hang out, get to know each other, and spend time together for a couple of AMAZING summer months in Chicago. We felt it was time to let our parents know about our interest in each other, and then the train really started moving! However, at that very same time, I got a new job and was moving down to Florida...leaving her behind.

This is chapter that really sucks, the part of every love story where the characters face challenges, struggle, and go through things that shape them into who they were meant to become. However, the difficulty of a long distance relationship were eased by Jasmine through a plan of action from the very beginning. We were to talk every day and try to visit each other monthly, which led to some awesome memories from NY, Chicago for St. Patrick's day, to the shores of Miami and Key west. We also started to PRAY TOGETHER every night, an action that brought us closer together although we were miles apart. The end of that chapter was the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and I started to work from home. We had some ups and down during these crazy times, I got the opportunity to spend some time with her in Chicago, before coming back to LA and then once again, driving across the country back to her by summer of 2020. (I just couldn't stay away!) We got through the difficult times, and came out stronger than ever. It is the tough times in life that really shape us, and I feel through facing our challenges together as a couple, we've grown closer, caring, and more loving both individually and towards each other. Although she claims.. "I'm just an ordinary girl from Chicago" I am grateful and truly blessed to have found someone so caring, thoughtful, and amazing! Looking forward to a lifetime of fun and adventures. EVENTUALLY... after months of holding onto a ring and trying to find the right time and place during the corona virus pandemic, I finally asked her to be my "dance partner for life" on the beaches of Chicago in December of 2020....