It was at a friend’s birthday party. We weren’t looking for each other though. Yunwen was looking for food after a busy day of volunteering. Rohit was enticed to this party by the promise of meeting a Chinese model! This famous Chinese model never showed up leaving Rohit disappointed, but not for long. He soon got into a witty conversation with someone smart and pretty. He was too distracted looking at her to make many coherent sentences but his pickup line worked well enough that Yunwen did part with her phone number. Rohit was ecstatic but Yunwen kept her calm! A week of messages culminated in our first date in Andover, as part of Rohit’s promised rescue of Yunwen from her work. More famous for Range-Rover driving soccer moms than for gastropubs, Andover didn’t have any fun options. We were by far the youngest couple in the French bistro we chose to dine at. For Rohit, the date was not proceeding well. For every dish that came out of the kitchen, he heard the same phrase – “I can make this too”. Then there was the time Yunwen disappeared to the restroom, for what felt like an eternity. Was the date that bad that she was calling for her friend to “show up” and rescue her? Theories abound in Rohit’s head. But reality was far simpler. There was a line. We ended dinner and went for a walk around town, and then later retreated to warmth of the car where we spent hours talking, till the early hours of the morning. Date concluded and each in our respective bed, we started messaging each other, setting up another date. We met again, the very next day 😊

Like almost every weekend when Yunwen is back in Boston, this Saturday morning in December was no different. A time to cherish and slow down to enjoy each other’s company. After hobbling out of bed, we prepared our brunch of eggs, bacon, bread and fruits – another Saturday staple. As Rohit wrapped up the cooking, Yunwen was busy setting up food on the coffee table. With the last plate set, Yunwen sat down on the couch, quite focused on the soccer game on TV. Before she could react, there was Rohit with the ring. Our home in Somerville is our special place – a place that affirmed our love and trust, long before we, ourselves, realized it. It was only apt that we started our new journey at the place that made it happen. So – no fancy restaurant, no ring in the champagne-glass and no cheering onlookers – we had ours in the warmth of our home and in the comfort of our routine. Was Yunwen surprised? She always knew something was up in the days leading up D-Day. Rohit suddenly disappearing in the evenings to meet friends for drinks, midweek. Unable to coherently recall any fun conversations that he had with them. All very suspicious! Rohit isn’t a good liar. Yunwen knew it was coming. But on the big day – she did pretend to be super surprised. She was a good sport – she always has been a good sport 😊