#shryingtheknot

It all started in April of 2021. It had been a year since the COVID pandemic began; vaccines were finally on the horizon, and Shreya and Ryan were each ready to reenter society. The world felt like it was finally opening back up, and Shreya was looking forward to her “single summer” with her girlfriends. Ryan was taking full advantage of living alone for the first time, and eager to make the most of his last few years before turning 30. So naturally, they both dusted off their dating apps and decided to get back out there. From the moment they matched online, they were instantly intrigued by each other’s witty banter, empathetic nature, and zest for shaping the world through their respective passions in life. They found themselves glued to their phones, immersed in topics spanning from the simple joys of Costco free samples to lighter topics like criminal justice reform and the impact of AI on society. They simply did not want the conversations to end. The two decided to finally take their connection offline and meet up in person for a first date. They met at District, an upscale bar in Mission Bay close to where Shreya lived at the time. Ryan arrived first, with just the right amount of time to overthink where he should sit to ensure he could be facing Shreya as she walked in. Yet, he still somehow ended up sitting at the bar with his back turned toward the door when Shreya arrived. Shreya walked over to him and in her loud, vibrant voice, uttered a quick “Hii!” Having just downed a glass of wine and sprinted over because she was running late, she was slightly flustered and short of breath. This made two of them, because as soon as he laid eyes on Shreya, Ryan’s breath was taken away. Over the next few months, though Shreya maintained that she was still living her independent best life with her girlfriends, her friends saw straight through the facade. They will tell you that upon meeting Ryan they knew very quickly that Shreya had met her soulmate - she just needed time to accept it. They were right. It wasn’t long before Shreya faced the reality that they weren’t just in it for a good time, but a long time. After a whirlwind summer of fun dates, weekend trips, and exchanging their first “I love you”s, they each realized that both of their lives were infinitely fuller with the other by their side. Ryan’s first time officially meeting Shreya’s family was on Diwali. Shreya’s family hosted Ryan for the holiday, and even let him borrow a kurta for the occasion. They included him in the puja, and even reduced the spice level of dinner - although Shaurya made it clear this part was a one time favor. Shreya met Ryan’s family for the first time on Thanksgiving a few weeks later. They laughed over embarrassing stories from Ryan’s childhood, indulged in a delicious feast, and Shreya learned where Ryan’s sarcastic humor comes from. Shreya felt right at home when they ended the night with Ted’s homemade oat milk lattes. The following summer, they unknowingly began what would become a tradition of spending their anniversary in San Diego. What had started as a fun phone-date activity (window shopping for Airbnb’s by the beach) turned into a week-long vacation that neither of them will ever forget. They stuffed their faces with burritos and sunshine, swam in the warm ocean waters, and drove up the coast, where they sat atop Sunset Cliffs and watched the most beautiful sunset they had ever seen. He didn't tell her at the time, but Ryan would later say that this was the moment he knew that they would spend the rest of their lives together. As their lives grew more intertwined, the number of days they spent together gradually increased. Both settled into a cozy life that included good food, game nights, dinner & pool parties, and lots of doggy cuddles. Shreya slowly convinced Ryan that Friday nights at Target constituted a fun date night, while Ryan somehow managed to get Shreya to sit through 4 separate Spider-Man movies with him.

In October of 2023, they planned to head back to San Diego yet again, this time for a “couples weekend” with their friends Libby and Shri. Unbeknownst to Shreya (or more accurately semi-beknownst), the real purpose of the trip was for Ryan to propose. The couple ended up flying to San Diego alone after Libby “hurt her foot” the day before the trip. Their Airbnb just happened to be atop Sunset Cliffs, and Ryan not so subtly suggested they go on a sunset walk just before their dinner reservation. As the sun descended over the horizon, Ryan shared with Shreya that the last time they watched the sunset together at this very spot, he knew she was the one. He then got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. As a hopeless romantic who had watched too many romcoms, Shreya had always had high expectations for her proposal one day. Ryan exceeded all of them. The newly engaged couple enjoyed a nice dinner overlooking the water, before heading back to their Airbnb for Ryan’s final surprise - both of their families (yes, Sophie took her first flight ever for the occasion) and Libby and Shri were all patiently waiting to celebrate with them. And now, Shreya and Ryan have decided to take yet another trip back to their favorite place as they begin their journey together as husband and wife - but this time with all of their beloved friends and family. Can't wait to see you in San Diego!