We met for the first time in Washington DC! Suruchi let me plan the date (by plan, I mean she shot down the first 50 ideas that I had). After a healthy amount of rejection, we settled on grabbing some Ramen, (Suruchi's favorite), at a new spot in DC. Thinking that this was going to be our first date, I had planned on dinner taking a while, allowing us both some time to talk and get to know one another. This did not go according to plan, however. For whatever reason, this restaurant was in quite a hurry and we were done/forced to be done, in about 20 minutes. After that, I used my amazing improv/conversational skills to save the rest of the night. After dinner, we walked around Chinatown, talking, and getting to know one another. Along the walk we both made each other smile and laugh, and neither of those have stopped since!
As everyone who knows me can tell you - I am calm, cool, and collected under pressure, so this was no big deal for me. Okay, actually, I was a wreck. Suruchi had certainly dropped some hints that it was time for me to make a move and definitely didn't seem to mind the idea of getting engaged in Europe during our trip there. We planned a trip to a place neither of us had been, Amsterdam. I worked, very covertly, with Suruchi's sister, Supria, as well as her parent's to find the ideal ring for her. The ring arrived a few days before our trip and the thought of traveling internationally with it was miserable. I secured the ring in my carry on bag with as much cover as possible. During the trip to Amsterdam, I checked to make sure that I didn't lose the ring at every opportunity. Anytime Suruchi would get up or move, I made sure to check that I still had the ring. Fortunately, I didn't lose it.
Our second day in Amsterdam was when I was set for the proposal. I had arranged for a photographer to meet us on a river around 10:30 in the morning. I told Suruchi that there was a place close by that would be a good spot for a few pictures, citing my budding photography career (which is in the same state now as it was when I made up that story). Now, normally, Suruchi is a stickler for being on time. For whatever reason, this was the one day she had to take her sweet time. Everything, from choosing her morning coffee, to her breakfast sandwich (there were two options) seemed to take an hour. I was so nervous about meeting our photographer because I wanted us to get to the pre planned spot before the other tourists. Eventually I hurried Suruchi along, telling her that we needed to get there while the "light was still good."
When we arrived at the spot, our photographer faked as a photography student and asked us to stand back to back for a shot for her class project. When Suruchi turned around, I dropped down on a knee and asked the love of my life to marry me. I couldn't have been happier when she said yes! I was also overjoyed to not be responsible for the ring anymore! I couldn't be more excited than to spend the rest of my life with Suruchi.
Little does Neal know, but he really can't keep any secrets from me. Every time he has tried, he gives it away within minutes because he's so obviously uncomfortable!
We had been dating for a little over a year when I realized something was up. Neal was being a bit vague about making plans to go on a trip together. He came up with a (very) long winded story about why a certain trip would not work out due to a string of unforeseen night shifts in the ER and early morning meetings afterwards. I let him think I believed it, all the while I knew he may be planning something. I would later find out that this was when he picked out the ring!
A couple months later, we were finally taking our first trip together - Amsterdam! I was excited for a few days away from the craziness of our work schedules and some quality time together. Yes, this meant no alarm clocks, set schedules/itineraries, and definitely not rushing my morning coffee! On our second day, Neal mentioned he wanted to walk around the city to take in the city and perhaps take some pictures. Sounded perfect! Perusing a European city with your significant other while on vacation! Little did I know this would entail Neal rushing me through my morning coffee, a rushed walk to a scenic area by one of the many Amsterdam canals, and a girl meeting us to take pictures for a "school project."
Confused, I started to pose for the pictures and, before I knew what was happening, Neal was down on one knee proposing! Everything after the proposal is a blur. What I will always remember is that Neal was finally able to keep a secret from me! Well worth it to be engaged to the the best guy I've ever met :)