Welcome to our wedding website! Yep, it’s finally happening! We’ve created this website to help you plan for our big day. You can find all of the need-to-know details right here, including directions, schedules, hotel information, and a little bit about our love story so far. Take a look around and RSVP online! Leave us a song request that will get you up on the dance floor! We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, and we wanted to say a huge thanks for your love and well wishes so far. Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. With Love, Melvin and Serena x

The first time I saw Serena was at the airport in Atlanta on the way to convention. Jelvin and I had graduated from pharmacy school, and we were so hyped for convention! We landed at Atlanta airport where convention was, and there was a shuttle that would take us from the airport to the convention center. So we were waiting between the baggage claims for the shuttle inside the airport with some other kna ppl when I saw this random Malayali lookin’ girl walk towards where we were all waiting. Right away, I noticed how she was super cute and even thought she looked a little fobby. I was really hoping that I would get to meet her at some point during convention. Luckily, she came and introduced herself to jelvin and I because she mistook us for another set of twins. It was only a brief meeting, but she had definitely caught my eye. The first night of convention we all went out, and we ran into each other and talked for a little. She asked me for my number at the end of the night, and she claims it was just to make sure I got “home safe” (yeah sureeee) lol. The next 2 days we kept running into each other, and there was def a spark between us because I remember stalking her on fb to see if she was a normal person - she passed. She made me feel super comfortable every time we hung out, and I could tell right away that she was very caring and genuine. On Saturday, we were texting, and I was going to attend mass and I told her that when she asked what I was up to. She immediately said, “Ohh I’ll come with you,” and I knew this was the moment where I had a really good feeling about her and truly felt a real connection.

After convention, we started talking on the phone a lot. She had her cousin’s engagement in Chicago the following month, so she came to visit and we had our first date in summertime Chi. Needless to say, the date went very well! I asked her to be my girlfriend on October 28, 2018, and I asked her to marry me on September 26, 2020 at one of our favorite churches. Serena, I can’t wait to see you walk down a church aisle again, but this time as my wife.

I had just worked my 12-hour shift, and decided to start packing the morning before my flight. I was going to Atlanta convention to have an amazing few days with my family. I mean, I basically knew everyone, right? This convention wasn’t going to be anything crazy. So, I just threw on some clothes and rushed to make it on time for my flight. My parents decided last minute once I got to the airport they weren’t going to pick me up and told me to get a ride from the bus transporting everyone from the airport to the convention center. As I was riding up the escalator and texting my cousin Thomman to pick me up, I noticed this guy in a yellow jersey smile at me. I turned behind me, and there wasn’t anyone else lol. Was this cute guy smiling at me?! (Melvin will say he wasnt though.)Yes, a very cliche scene, I know! I thought he was cute but maybe he was someone I knew? I saw and talked to a few family friends next to him amidst other people waiting for the shuttle. I was checking to see if I knew him since I couldn’t see well without my glasses. I saw he was possibly a twin, and thought maybe he was my cousin's twin friends. Not thinking much into it, I went up to talk to him afterward. I realized I didn’t know these guys, but Melvin was so cute! Thomman called to say he was outside, and I was bummed because conventions are so big that I probably wouldn’t see him again. “Oh well,” I thought. I told Thomman immediately how I met this super cute twin, and after getting to the orientation part of convention, I saw Melvin again and noted to him, “Yo, that’s him!” Thomman obviously introduced himself, and I figured that would be the last of seeing him.

During the day I was busy & late for the evening event, but when we got outside, Melvin was there again! We walked to the spot together, but I decided to spend time with my cousins, so we went separate ways. At the end of the night, we found each other again, and I thought I’d be nice & give him my number as a new friend. I told him to text me when he got back. Later, I found out that he thought I liked him (ewww) lol. He texted me to make sure I got back ok, but I was so busy with my cousins and responded the next day. Oops! I was surprised he texted to make sure I was ok. He was definitely thoughtful lol. After some time, I realized he was interested in me too, so I figured why not get to know him, and the more I did, the more I realized how amazing and genuine he was. We connected so easily that something just felt right. After convention, we continued to talk every day, and after realizing the man he was, I knew I wanted to see how this went. Melvin eventually planned out our first official date for when I went to Chicago the next month for my cousin’s engagement. He surprisingly had everything planned out to a T - I couldn’t believe it. After seeing each other every month and talking frequently, Melvin decided to ask me to be his girlfriend at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. After 8 months of long-distance, I moved to Chicago to start school and eventually be with my friend and former roommate Mari - even though Melvin will tell you it was for him (sureeee lol). In September 2020, Melvin popped the big question at one of our favorite churches. Since the start, God has played a major role in our lives with every significant moment being in His presence. We have grown and been blessed in so many ways, and despite all the chaos, Melvin, I am truly so excited to go from being your girlfriend and fiancé to your wifey! I can’t wait for July 3 and all the adventures we’re about to embark on.

Anyone that knows me, knows I’ve been a sucker for love probably from every Yash Chopra/Bollywood movie I’ve ever seen. I always wondered how this one special moment would be. Would it really be a surprise? Would I cry? Oh, one too many thoughts! When my parents called me in August saying they were thinking of coming to visit in September. I had a feeling something was up. They never made a visit unless there was a reason, so I questioned them along with Melvin right after the call. Melvin immediately asked, “How stupid do you think I am?” I’m like, “Well…” (JK!) ;) Periodically, my parents would mention they may change their flights, so I let it be. Then, during the week of the proposal, everyone started acting strange and sending accidental messages (cough Shawn cough) haha, but when my cousin Shawn facetimed me a few nights prior saying how he had plans for the weekend, I figured maybe it wasn’t that week. Then, the night before the proposal, my parents asked me what I was going to wear to Melvin’s house the next day for dinner. Then, they started evaluating every dress in my closet (something they’ve never done before). Obviously, at that point I knew it was going to happen, but I soon realized it’s not about when it happens but how it happens - that was the true surprise. My parents were clearly too excited to have a son lol! Melvin and I had planned a double date with our wonderful friends, Mari and Mitch, but they cancelled due to an “emergency.” Melvin and I decided to still go to lunch since we were both hungry and had already heard how great Momotaro was. After lunch, I asked Melvin, “What’s next?” Melvin hesitated, but with a nervous yet excited tone, he asked if we could stop by church to pray real quickly together since his birthday had just passed and because he missed going to church together. Since it was still the middle of the pandemic at the time, I questioned him about what church was open...

He mentioned St. Catherine of Sienna was open, the church we almost got married at. From how he asked, I knew he was sus! I was so nervous at that point I couldn’t decide whether I’d cry on the way or at church. I think he knew my look and immediately told me, “I’m not proposing!” When we walked into church, he wouldn't wear his mask & said it was fine, so holding onto his hand, I walked in confused about why he wasn’t mindful. It took me a minute to realize how decorated church was with candles, flowers, & pictures. He told me there were 4 letters before reaching the alter (which later I found out signified the four most significant moments in our relationship), and then he ran to the end and said, “I’ll meet you at the end” (typical Melvin haha). After reading the first letter, I already begin tearing up because for anyone that knows Melvin, he’s not the most emotional person, but for that day he really opened up & showed his love. As I made it to alter, Melvin said very sweet things (barely remember what) & asked me to officially marry him with a ring that I didn’t even see because all I could do was hug him in that moment for going above and beyond to make this beyond special. He asked me again since I never responded the first time, and my answer of course was “Yes!” After, Melvin told me a lot of my family and friends couldn’t celebrate with us due to COVID, which I actually believed. But lo and behold, when we got to the house, I was surprised by my favorite people from near & far! I guess Melvin was slick… In our relationship, every significant moment has been in the presence of God, so it only fit that this particular moment was between us and God again. Even though it wasn’t a true surprise, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin this next chapter of our lives because it was perfect in its own way. With all that Melvin did to make sure the proposal was perfect, I know that he’ll always go above and beyond to make sure I’m the happiest <3