We hope the world may look a little different and way better in May 2022 when we gather for this celebration. But for everyone's safety, at this time we sincerely request that all our guests are fully vaccinated (with a booster shot if applicable) and take a COVID test within 3 days before festivities begin. We truly appreciate your cooperation in this matter!

COVID19 was raging worldwide and we were swiping on a dating app, still hoping to make human connections! Lucky for us, we swiped right on each other and not wasting much time, decided to do a video chat thru the app... First impressions last a lifetime they say..so Eric made quite an impression when he appeared on screen, sitting in a camping chair. Little did I know, that's all the furniture he had at the time because he had just moved across the Pacific from Japan! We started talking and quickly realized we both share the adventurous streak with love for traveling. 45 minutes later, we had to hang up because our phone batteries were dying (No, really!) but we promised to message and we surely did. Few days later, we actually met for a simple coffee and walk date...a COVID friendly date! ;-) It was followed by several other COVID friendly dates and it was very obvious to both of us that we have stumbled upon something truly special.. We have climbed mountains together and driven on icy roads in a snowstorm to get to beautiful national parks. And through all those adventures, we formed a bond that has led us on a path to wonderful present and future together... As a song by Rihanna goes, "We found love in a hopeless place"... I dare say, we found love in hopeless place AND time!

When I saw that Sukhada's birthday this year fell on International Astronomy Day and that there was a Star Party happening at a local observatory, I knew I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to propose to my universal love. I got the ring & notified the observatory of my plans.... We arrived at the Star Party after an exciting day; she was very eager to observe, while I was nervously clutching the ring box in my jacket. After viewing the Moon, Saturn, and a few nebulae, we arrived at the grand finale: a huge 40" telescope. I asked the operator to point it at the Veil Nebula, Sukhada's favorite object that just happens to look like a bridal veil.... This was the key signal & moment. The telescope actually turned to Polaris, the constant north star. Although not visible to the naked eye, it is surrounded by a few dim stars in a circle, making it look like an Engagement Ring. Puzzled when she didn't see the Veil Nebula, she needed a few moments to figure out what she was looking at... Realization dawning, she turned around, and I was already on one knee with the ring. As soon as I popped the question, she said YES!