We first met during an evening gathering of friends in Washington D.C. after we both had recently ended a past relationship of several years. That particular weekend, Eric was attending a conference and Nekpen was visiting a friend. After a night of fun, we exchanged numbers and promised to stay in touch. Eric moved to New York to attend graduate school at Columbia University a few months later and reached out to Nekpen who was an Alumni of the same school. Nekpen eagerly volunteered to give Eric a tour of campus and share her graduate school experience. That tour was the origin of our journey to forever. Our friendship would grow over the years. We grew closer over our love of God, community, and adventure. We enjoy traveling together and became fierce competitors in almost every sport. Our relationship has taught us that with faith and perseverance, we can accomplish anything together.

Our engagement was a complete surprise to Nekpen after months of diligent planning by Eric! The big day took place on a sunny Sunday in September 2019, after spending a weekend in the Hamptons with friends. To get us back to New York City in time for the surprise proposal, Eric told Nekpen that he scheduled dinner with one of his favorite professors from Columbia University. He also mentioned that the professor would meet us in the middle of campus on College Walk, where the couple first reconnected in New York City. Unknown to Nekpen, Eric arranged for a photographer and videographer to capture the surprise moments. While in the middle of Columbia's campus, Eric proposed and Nekpen immediately said "Yes!" to forever with her best friend.