Who would have guessed that an online dating app would lead to our fairy-tale ending? In August 2021, I relocated from the Gold Coast to Brisbane to be closer to work. Harmeet and I matched on the dating app and began with the typical ‘hello’ and ‘what do you do for work’ questions. Harmeet is a Town Planner, and I am a Shopping Centre Marketing Manager. Neither of us knew much about each other’s professions, but Google came to the rescue for both of us.
After a week of texting, we decided to meet in person. Our first date was on a scorching Saturday in November 2021. We sat outside at the venue, and the heat was intense, with sweat streaming down our faces and our clothes sticking to our chairs. Despite the weather, our date lasted four hours, and we continued to call and text each other afterward.
We quickly fell into a routine of meeting after work and on weekends. Our dates were simple and inexpensive—we spent less than $100 in the first month, even though we saw each other 25 times. Building a genuine connection was important to both of us, so we kept things low-key and focused on getting to know each other.
After nearly a year and a half of dating, we decided it was time for our parents to meet. Our parents got along well, and we soon began to get to know each other’s siblings and extended families, as we are both the youngest in our respective families.
The Proposal
Although we had already chosen a wedding date, Harmeet planned a surprise proposal during a weekend getaway to the Gold Coast in March. What was meant to be a fun and relaxing weekend turned into a memorable one, despite me being sick with a fever, sore throat, and heavy flu. On a beautiful, sunny Gold Coast day, Harmeet read a heartfelt letter and presented me with a ring. The proposal was followed by an evening at an Italian restaurant, making it an unforgettable experience.
Our Wedding
Our wedding was a beautifully simple Sikh ceremony, which we affectionately call our “skinny Indian wedding” as we opted for a very small wedding. With fewer than 30 guests, the intimate event was held at the first Sikh Temple in Woolgoolga, NSW, Australia. After the ceremony, our families gathered for a delightful lunch at an Indian restaurant in Coffs Harbour. Although a simple Sikh wedding we couldn’t go past the girls making Harmeet to pay an entry for his bride. My sister-in-law and 6 year old niece thought it was only fitted that Harmeet sing Frozen -Let it Go in order for Harmeet to enter the house.
