Love manifests itself in myriad ways, but finding it is always a beautiful stroke of luck. While looking for love stories, we found these two sagas of modern day romance. While one couple chanced upon their life partners, thanks to a phone app, the other met on a social network website.
What binds these two stories? The cool power of internet connectivity that helped them find their soul mates, without cultural barriers, and across hundreds of miles. Let’s take a glimpse at their special relationships.
Mumbai-based fashion blogger Anushka Hajela found love on the dating phone app, Tinder. Here she tells us about her dream proposal and all the moments of bridezilla-ness!
The meet cute: James and I met a little unconventionally — on Tinder (a dating app), a year ago when he was visiting Bombay on a business trip. We hit it off instantly and knew we were meant to be together right from our second date. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before! As a couple, we share many interests that have strengthened our bond. From the way we think about pretty much everything, our shared outlook on life and our matched sense of humour, to us both being atheists, loving dogs (more than people) and being passionate about photography, travel and good food.
The proposal: After eight months of long distance and three trips back and forth, he popped the question on London’s Millennium Bridge this July, while I was visiting him. It was absolutely magical!
All the prep: I used to think that wedding planning was all about selecting flowers, tasting cakes and clinking champagne. But, it’s mainly about managing emotions and dealing with everyone’s expectations, while fitting it all into a tight budget. As excited as I am, I sometimes feel like I’m drowning. Luckily, there is a break between the engagement party in November and our wedding in January. So I should have a little time to relax then 🙂
This Jalandhar girl met her Vijayawada boy on social networking website, Orkut. Micro-biologist Jaskiran Gulria tells us about her cross- cultural love, with husband Yagna Valkya.
And they clicked: We met in 2006 on Orkut. He was a friend of a friend. I guess we had low mental standards of accepting friend requests at that time! We actually didn’t converse until 2007 when I was trying to get in veterinary colleges. Those colleges never happened, but I got a very good and reliable friend for a lifetime.
Number game: We exchanged numbers in September 2007 when he left for UK for his post-grad. I still remember I took permission from my mum so I could call him for his birthday and he could call me on mine. Initially, it was weird, we felt more comfortable chatting than talking on the phone. We met in person in 2008, and it was really awkward. We never saw each other before — two-three profile picture was all we had to recognise each other. I took my elder sister along with me, to be sure he was not a crook! We kept meeting for a day or two every year and this went on till 2011.
North meets South: After love bloomed, the families met. The wedding took place this year in March. First, we had a gurudwara wedding in Jalandhar. To my surprise, his family was enthusiastic about everything. We danced till we dropped. It was so much fun getting married that I can get married again. Lol! We also had a Hindu ceremony in a temple in Jalandhar. Then, a reception party in Vijayawada. It was a grand 10-day affair!
