Sneha's Version: John and I met at Ohio State when we were studying for finals with our mutual friends. I was in the basement with two friends from high school, Megan and Cara, studying for an upcoming chemistry exam. We decided to take a break and go get some snacks. On our way to the vending machines, we ran into our friend Bailey who was coming to study with us and he brought along two of his friends: Christian and John. As our paths crossed, I instantly was struck and immediately asked the girls "Who is the guy with the sideburns"? Once we got back to the room to study, I brought out my very best comedic material (raisin jokes) to get his attention. After two months of my terrible jokes, we decided to start dating and have been in love ever since! John's Version: In the basement of the Norton Dormitory, where neither of us lived, I was trying my best to study. Unfortunately for my grades, there was someone else with me. Enter Sneha, with long dark hair, her signature flannel and jeans combo, and glasses that were a bit too big for her head. She asked me what I thought about raisins. "Are raisins not just dead grapes?" she pondered. What? That's literally the first words she ever spoke to me. Obviously that got me interested. As we discussed fruit and death, Sneha's blend of sincerity and humor got me hooked. We felt a connection that night that neither of us have ever felt before, and the rest is history.

I knew I wanted to marry Sneha pretty early in our relationship. For a proposal, I wanted the moment to be perfect, but life kept getting in the way. Finally I saw a chance when we learned that the Cleveland Orchestra was doing a Lord of the Rings outdoor performance. I have loved the Lord of the Rings since my childhood, and I shared that love with Sneha on one of our many movie dates. I convinced some of our closest friends to join us, but kept the proposal a secret. Sneha told me long ago that she wanted to be surrounded by loved ones whenever I decided to propose. When we got there, we laid out blankets and food for a picnic in front of the amphitheater. We listened to the incredible music that the orchestra played, holding hands and drinking sparkling grape juice (fancy). I was so nervous that the only thing I could hear was my heartbeat, but I knew that Sneha was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. So, I summoned all my courage during the intermission and got down on one knee. She said yes.