Like most people dating in the past decade, the best way to find a partner was through online dating. Our story started the same way. We were in the middle of a pandemic passing time watching movies/tv shows, endlessly scrolling through social media, and swiping on dating apps. We were both veterans of using dating apps, we had accounts on all the possible dating apps that existed. Surprisingly we met on DilMil, our least frequented dating app. We matched in May 2020 and had our first video date the week after we matched. After countless Facetime dates for three months, we decided to meet in person. Lookout Asheville, NC, we were on the way. We were both being cautious and did not want to fly so we decided to drive. The long drive did not help the excited nervous energy we both had, hoping the in-person connection would be as easy as it was on the phone. That weekend was one of our most memorable trips because it solidified the possibility of our future together. We continued dating long-distance over the next two years, either meeting up in Atlanta or Tampa or different cities we got to explore together.

Proposing to Roshani was one of the best decisions of my life. It was scary but it was incredibly exciting at the same time. Roshani and I started talking about a trip to Europe and to me that was IT. A great vacation to Paris and a proposal idea – what could be better? Go big or go home right! Knowing we had three full days in Paris before departing for London, I scoured the internet/Instagram and found a local Parisian proposal planner, Pauline. Being in a long distance relationship worked out in my favor for proposal planning; didn’t have to be too secretive :) After multiple calls with Pauline and virtual location scouting, I decided to propose underneath a bridge next to the Seine River, which has sweeping views of the city, and most importantly, the Eiffel tower. We arrived in Paris on May 1st in the afternoon. The ring had been burning a hole in my pocket for days, which I could not wait to get on her finger. We checked into our hotel and started to walk around the city; I wanted to walk past the proposal location to get myself familiar for the big day! Through my research I learned that the Eiffel Tower sparkled with thousands of lights every hour on the hour after sunset. I wanted to coordinate my proposal with the lights sparkling in the background. This attention to detail can make a big difference in a perfect proposal and I asked Pauline to bump into us at the bridge at 9:45pm, 15 minutes before the light show. Finally came the big day, we had a packed agenda exploring the city and visiting different museums. Since the proposal wasn’t scheduled until late evening, I had to act normal while my heart kept racing all day. Roshani expressed annoyance with me for either being too quiet or for being constantly on my phone, not realizing that I was providing updates to the proposal planner, family, and friends who were eager for news. It was now 9:45pm, we were both starving, but we had made our way close to the Eiffel Tower and I couldn’t wait any longer. I suggested we go see the tower before heading to our dinner reservation. In the crowd comes Pauline, makes Roshani feel comfortable and guides her down the steps blindfolded. Longest 15 minutes of my life! Finally the lights started at 10:00 PM, with violinist playing "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, I got down on one knee. I said her full name, followed by, “You are my best friend and the love of my life. Will you marry me?” And she said "YES!"