It was the end of summer and Malvika was starting her first year of college at Rutgers New Brunswick and Steven was moving into his Junior Year dorm room right next door. Malvika likes to believe it was fate that brought these two together - On move in day Malvika's mother explicitly stated, "Stay away from this boy -STEVE" making a quick judgment just based on the name hanging on the dorm door and the fact that he was going to be the boy that lived right next door to her daughter. On the other hand Steve's father read Malvika's name on her dorm door and said, "Malvika, well that's an interesting name!" Shortly thereafter, Malvika and Steve met for the first time and became fast friends through the various activities hosted on the 7th Floor South Tower on Livingston Campus. Steve even saved Malvika's number as (Best Neighbor Ever). They made some great memories that year as friends, but their relationship would blossom further in the following year. Steven and Malvika went on about their lives over the next year and ended up living in the River Dorms on College Avenue in neighboring buildings. One brisk fall day, Malvika saw Steven at the SAC bus stop and invited him to get some Spicy Ramen at EDO <3 so that they could catch up on life. Little did both of them know this would be the first of many dates. That night, at what became one of their favorite local spots to eat, the two slurped noodles and chatted about life, love, and loads of other things. They both had a wonderful time and decided that they wanted to become closer as friends. Friendship grew into something more, and one day soon thereafter, Steven told Malvika he loved her. That day in the building lounge was the beginning of something special and after a short time, she told Steve that she loved him too. After a few more dates, they officially started dating April 23, 2013. Fast forward to April 8th, 2024, just before the alignment of the sun and moon during the Solar Eclipse in Vermont, Steve proposed to Malvika at the Summit of Mt. Philo. Malvika shed some joyous tears as she cried, "Yes, of course". The trip to Vermont was perfect, the cute little cabin Steven had so carefully planned, prepared, and booked out a year in advance was just right. So many things pointed to this being up to fate, from those first days in the dorms, to the blue hummingbird art that Malvika took as a sign and all the other little things that just seemed to fall so perfectly in to place. Malvika and Steven locked in their venue and are excited to celebrate the next step of their lives together surrounded by the love of their family and friends. 11.22.2025