As many of you know our wedding plans were impacted by the recent coronavirus. we are happy to announce that we took these changes in stride, and have decided to have a small private ceremony on 28th November 2020
It is a bittersweet feeling but we are thrilled to be married and we know you will all cheer us in spirit!
Once the world returns to normal, we are planning to party with all of you!
can't wait to see everyone.We will share the zoom link shortly so you can virtually celebrate with us!
Both the ceremony and the reception will be streamed,
Please keep your video on and mics muted throughout.
(Her side of the story)
Just when you learn how to love yourself and be content with yourself, that is when you find someone who loves you for who you are!
I FOUND THE ONE MY SOUL LOVES... Rather... He found me.
Haha Our story is funny, we were introduced to each other by Craig's Mom, who I met in Church :)
This was when I left Bangalore and decided to start fresh in Dubai. I returned to Dubai on the 10th of January and to be honest I felt like I was in a strange land where everything is different. For those who know me, they would understand how crazy I could get sitting at home doing nothing. So, the first thing I did when I got to Dubai was I attended the 12 o clock mass and just let my heart out to the Lord. Then I heard an announcement for volunteering at the Samaritan Ministry. I thought to myself – anyway I am sitting at home doing nothing – might as well join here and build a network – meet new people and do something productive. This is where I met Craig’s Mom. I was in church every day between 8 am to 11 pm – my Dad thought I was having an affair and lying to him by saying I’m in church all day.By the time the event was almost around the corner, I received my joining letter at a Digital Agency and was super happy with myself. I loved where I was – volunteering in the Church – Happy with my new job – I felt complete. After a really long time. I felt like I don’t need anyone else – I am an independent happy girl.
The church was not the first time Craig and I met apparently, we went to the same summer camp together. Funny how life is all about crossing each other's paths again. But before I knew who Craig was in person, I heard everything about him - how much he works out, how much he eats, what he likes what he dislikes - it was as though I knew him for ages. He saw me in Church and was head over heels for me since that very moment. I don't remember seeing him at all.
After him trying so hard to get me to go out with him just once - we went to McDonald’s for Breakfast at 8 a.m. I was surprised he made it, knowing he was partying till 3 a.m. and the fact that he loves his sleep! I knew he liked me from day one - but was playing hard to get. He was very straight forward and was like “ I don’t know if you figured it out, but I really like you and want to get to know you more, I know that you don’t want a relationship at the moment and are very happy with yourself – I am not pushing you – I just want to know you more and see how things go” – this was probably the second day we started chatting. My head kept screaming at me saying “Warning! Alert! Stay away” but my heart said look he is putting in a lot of effort – and he’s so straightforward. Just talk to him at least – plus he is Sandra’s son he wouldn’t fool around with me knowing that I know is Mom on a personal level.
His constant effort to keep in touch with me - know who I am - learn who I am and respect me - my dreams - my family and that sense of being loved - gave it off. There was something different about this guy, I wanted to ignore him but couldn't. He even went to the extent of rescheduling his flight so he could spend a few hours with me - this no crazy lover boy has ever done for me! I was quite impressed I must say - probably this is when I decided let's see where this goes.
One thing led to another - we got so close that not talking to him made me feel incomplete - I had to speak to him. I had to hear him whine (hehe) And then one fine club hop night it all began... Where we danced through the night – Yes, I made Craig dance - In fact, he dragged me to the dance floor to Jive with me and I was like wow - not bad for a guy who is always standing in the corner with his glass. Dancing was one of the things on my checklist ;)
The last few years of my life were the best because of you Craig! We've been through all the highs and lows and I know there is more to come - but what matters the most is that you will be there with me and together we will be able to face anything that comes our way.
I am so glad that you were consistent and you kept trying so hard to make things work between us. I am so excited and elated to spend the rest of my life with you! I am excited about our Marriage and togetherness. I can’t wait to start our next chapter.
Cheers to us!
(His side of the story)
They say only true love is love at first sight; second sight dispels it.
For the longest time, I joked or never thought such a thing exist till it happened to me and I was just taken aback.
As she already mentioned, all it took was that one glance at her in church and all I could do was think about her, which honestly never happened before with me.
I did hear my mom talk about her and other members of the Samaritan ministry (where she and my Mom met) but I did not have a name to place her face with until one fine day my mom approached me to give away a fish tank I had purchased for my flower horn which I didn't want to just give off till my mom mentioned it was for a member from the Samaritan ministry named Debby.
Immediately, I started probing my Mom to describe her and place her face to the name with the shape of her face and color of her hair, that’s when I knew that Debby is the same girl I am awestruck about!
Without wasting anymore time I told mom “sure we can give her the tank and I would personally go and give it myself” – this shocked my mom because knowing me, I would never do such a thing. But then again love does make people do things they never expect to do.
Finally, the day comes and I have to meet her, somehow convinced mom to send me her number so I can get her location details and give her the tank. This was at 8 am in the morning. I called her all she mentioned was “yes, I am heading to church in a bit so if you can come now, I can take it”
I drove as fast as I could to get there and all I got for the effort was her taking the tank and saying “Thanks” and walking back home. I even tried to strike a conversation asking her if she wanted me to help her with the tank or guide her on how to use it but she just replied “No Thanks” and she didn't even look back - just walked away.
Regardless of all my efforts going down the drain, I told myself Naa! This isn’t how it ends! And now that I have her number let me message her and let's see how things go from there.
It started with a "Hey, It's Craig here Sandra's son" :P
One thing led to another and I couldn't stop messaging and trying to get her out on a date with me, to which she kept coming up with excuses and replying “Hmm” for everything. I even went to the extent of saying it is my birthday (on a date when it was not) so now at least now she would meet up to which she said no again.
As I was still at home at that time looking for jobs and Debby was helping out in church she called me to help a couple of times - which yes, my mom did too, but this was my way to get to know Debby so Hell yeaa I went and we got to know each other better.
Days turned into months and eventually I had to go back to India to renew my visa, but religiously, I would message and call her every day on Skype – the only way she would speak with me was in at 7:30 in the morning – and then at 8-9 in the night. I had to make the most of it!
Then she came to India for her sister’s birthday and celebrate Easter with her folks.
I had been in India waiting on my new passport to come and apply for my visa, at the same time I knew she was heading back to Dubai and I wanted so bad to go back with her so I immediately called my uncle and requested for a quick way on getting my visa and slyly asked her for her ticket details. On receiving the same I went ahead and booked my tickets on the same flight. This was the first time I did something so crazy - had to hear a lot from my folks as well but it was definitely worth it.
I've got to say that was the best decision I made! I got to fly back and speak to her and get to know her better over a beer, I didn’t get to sit beside her on flight had to sit 5 rows behind her but I still managed to get a glimpse of her from the aisle seat which was enough for me.
On returning back, my efforts paid off as she finally said yes to going out with me and a couple of friends where we danced and had fun.
One thing led to another and here we are now 3 and a half years later fatter and happier, knowing that no matter what we always have each other’s back and we will always love each other through thick and thin.
True love stories never have endings, so here is to our forever.