Some love stories begin with a quiet conversation. Others begin with a sister's thoughtful email and a dream of a perfect surprise.

In early January, I received a lovely message from Shivani, the sister of the groom-to-be, Pranav. She was helping him organize a secret proposal for his fiancee, Apurva, at none other than the breathtaking Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como. From the very beginning, I could tell this was going to be a proposal filled with heart and intention.

Over the next few months, we exchanged emails, Zoom calls, and lots of messages across time zones. We discussed everything—train connections from Milan, the best towns to stay in, and the subtle logistics of surprising someone without raising any suspicion. Shivani was such a wonderful co-conspirator, and Pranav was meticulous in wanting everything to be perfect for Apurva.

On April 3rd, the day had finally arrived.

We met in the quiet village of Lenno, right by the lake, and from there made our way up to the magical terrace of La Loggia at Villa del Balbianello. That’s where Pranav got down on one knee, with the glimmer of Lake Como behind them and a moment that felt suspended in time. Apurva said yes, of course—and her reaction was full of joy, surprise, and the kind of love you can feel even through a camera lens.

It was a proposal months in the making, made possible by the love of a sibling, the care of a devoted partner, and the timeless beauty of Lake Como. I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of it all.