HOW WE MET

Kalpani and I met through our mutual friend in college. We began to hang out more and I found out through our mutual friend that Alex had secretly liked me. I thought it was sweet so decided to give it a chance and we started dating immediately! Our first year together as a couple flew by so quickly! Throughout the years we’ve had our fair shares of ups and downs, but we tackled everything as a couple and a team. No matter what happened, the foundation of our relationship over the years had always remained the same: communication and friendship. We rely on each other through almost every aspect of our lives and I couldn’t have found a more perfect best friend to share my life with.

THE PROPOSAL

Our proposal took place a rainy Friday in the New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands. I had planned the idea of going to the Botanical Gardens for about a month and created the idea it was for work as I am a graphic designer. I had gone to the garden one week prior with my friend who also photographed the moment to scout spots to propose in the garden. As the day grew closer it was only raining that Friday! I was nervous and anxious if the weather would hopefully go in my favor of a sunny autumn day. The big day came, and it was a day of major rain. I was disappointed it was raining, but I took it as a sign of good luck. It also reminded me that sometimes things don’t go as planned such as relationships. They are built on how we treat each other and go through the unexpected as a couple and team. I decided to still talk her into going to the garden in the pouring rain. She was shocked I wanted to go as she knows I’m not the type to go out in bad weather because I don’t like ruining my clothes. When we arrived at the Botanical garden there was only one car parked there which was my photographer friend already lurking and hiding around the garden. We popped our umbrellas and took a walk around the pavement pathways admiring the gardens from a distance and walking to the manor in the center of the garden. Eventually, we walked to the spot I planned to propose and after reading some facts about the garden she goes “it's getting cold, we should start getting back”. I then stopped her and told her there was a reason I brought her here, expressed my love and care about her, got on one knee, and proposed. She cried, giggled, and screamed YES! She wished someone was around to take a photo for us, but little did she know my friend was already taking shots and eventually was standing next to us in tears himself. She was so surprised by the entire moment. She loved the ring! It was beautiful and she can’t stop staring at it.