Rahul and Sushank first met on Tinder just a few weeks prior to New Year’s Eve. After a few weeks of talking, they decided to meet and end 2017 right by meeting each other for the first time. What better way to have a first date than ringing in the new year together?

The evening was relaxed. Rahul met Sushank at his place, and they talked and ordered takeout . “For me, Sushank was very cute, and I loved talking to him. I could tell he was very shy, but that made him even cuter,” Rahul explained. “Sushank knew from the first time he met me that I was the one.”

“One very unique thing about our love story is that we started this thing called ‘ABCD’ dating, where we’d plan dates according to the letter we were assigned.” As Rahul and Sushank dated, they experienced everything from chocolate making, to escape rooms, to flamenco dancing—everything under the sun! If you are ever short of dating ideas, it’s fun to think about what can come to mind just by following the alphabet. 

Over the next year and a half, Sushank and Rahul’s bond became stronger, leading both to believe marriage was on the horizon. Sushank began planning how he would propose in 2019 and decided that the Fourth of July in New York City would be the perfect time and place. 

“Sushank wanted the proposal to be intimate, but also an opportunity to celebrate our love and freedom. What better day of celebrating than the Fourth of July in New York?” On a private yacht looking up to the city and fireworks overhead, Sushank got down on one knee and popped the question. “I ecstatically accepted.”

Since the proposal, Sushank and Rahul have been actively planning their wedding celebration. Although it can be stressful to plan at times, they hope to have a large Indian reception and a very small civil ceremony.

“Our friends think we are a cute couple, and they are mostly just so happy for us. Both of us get along with each other’s sisters super well, which is so cute and just makes our relationship even stronger. Family is very important to us.”

Follow Sushank’s and Rahul’s journey on Instagram at @rahulmalde and @sushankchibber.