Some love stories begin with a grand gesture—ours started in an elevator. A chance encounter, a conversation that felt effortless, and in that moment, something just clicked. What began as a simple meeting turned into a journey filled with laughter, adventure, and a bond that only deepened over time.

Through COVID, we found joy in the little things—weekend escapes to the Island, endless Scrabble battles, and the quiet certainty that we had found something truly special.

Nick and Puneet took their first international trip together to Costa Rica, a mix of luxury and adventure. Nick meticulously planned most of their stays, from high-end hotels to private Airbnbs, but let Puneet choose one in the remote jungle of Corcovado. She enthusiastically booked a spot that came with unexpected roommates—a salamander, a parade of ants, and walls so thin they might as well have been curtains. To top it off, there were no blankets. Every night, they laughed at their questionable life choices but embraced the adventure anyway.

Their travels took them to Asia for the first time, where they instantly fell in love with Thailand. For two weeks straight, they ate pad Thai daily—no regrets. During an island-hopping and snorkeling excursion, Nick got a little too caught up capturing underwater photos. Meanwhile, the rest of the group had returned to the boat, and the tour guide, assuming everyone was aboard, started speeding away. It wasn’t until Puneet noticed that Nick was missing—stranded in the middle of the ocean—that she managed to get the boat turned around. He made it back safely, but not without a newfound respect for keeping up with the group. (Also, f*ck that tour guide)

Nick had meticulously planned his proposal to Puneet in Vietnam, but first, he had to survive carrying the ring around the country. Every bumpy ride—including an overnight train—felt like a potential disaster. Between bowls of pho and endless banh mi, Puneet fell sick and made more trips to the pharmacy than they anticipated. Finally, towards the end of the trip in Halong Bay, Nick had his moment. As they strolled along the deck at sunset, he reached for the ring—only to trip and send it flying from his pocket. Time slowed. Hearts stopped. Luckily, the ring didn’t go overboard, and with nerves of steel (and a quick recovery), Nick got down on one knee. Puneet, of course, said yes!