The #RohLani2022 Origin Story
How Rohan planned an epic & masterful proposal that inspired the rest of our wedding planning journey | February 23, 2023 | 6 minute read
Many people get engaged surrounded by flowers and candles, with romantic music playing in the background and giant signs that say “Marry Me”. These beautiful displays of romantic love are always so special and heartwarming to see!
Rohan & I took a slightly different route and got engaged surrounded by fake blood stains on the wall and a dystopian voice over loudspeakers telling us time was running out. And it was just as special for us.
On January 1, 2022 Rohan pulled off a truly unique proposal, when he worked together with Ready Set Go Adventures, an Escape Room in Mississauga to refashion their complex game called “The Testing Ward” into my dream come true.
*On that note - we’d like to give a special shout out to this company that worked so happily to help Rohan set things up! Their staff member Dana did a fantastic job of keeping a straight face when I grilled them on the rules of the room before we went in, all the time knowing what was about to happen to me…
With the help of his awesome sister (my new sister-in law) Roma and my 3 fantastic cousins, Sabrina, Annie and Shiva - Rohan planned a ‘super casual’ escape room day for our group to spend New Year’s together. None of this was surprising, or set off any alarms in my head because our group had bonded over virtual and in-person escape rooms as well as scavenger hunt adventures to stay connected throughout the pandemic. But to make extra sure I didn’t suspect anything (especially since we had been discussing our plans for marriage for some time) Rohan also told me he made us reservations at some fancy French restaurant neither of us can pronounce the name of for the following week. He also advanced his proposal to New Year’s when his holiday travel plans fell through, just to make extra sure I wouldn’t be suspecting anything. Every time Rohan has been asked why throwing me off the scent’ in multiple ways’ was so important to him he tells people: “I have seen her guess the ending of way too many movies…”
And so, near the end of a 90-minute escape room, while I was supremely focused on beating the timer and our team winning the game - I cracked open a fake safe, to find a ring box inside.
At first - it didn’t hit me. Because I was looking for the plastic coin we were trying to locate to be able to escape the abandoned facility we were trapped in, and win the game - but then I turned to see Rohan down on one knee, in a dark room decorated with scratch marks that said ‘no escape’, asking me to spend the rest of time together with him. And I couldn’t have been happier.
The icing on the cake was that Rohan had ensured that each of our group had roles to play in the mission - while someone was in charge of photo, another video etc - so I was really the only one in the dark. And on top of everything - he ensured my Amma, Anna (big brother), Didi (sis-in-law) and nephews were there to see the moment where I said yes, along with his parents & grandma!
Well to be fair - before I said yes the first thing I said was “OMG. I’m so sweaty!”
And that was what made Rohan’s proposal even more perfect. It was ideally suited to us and our origin story; one that was marked by bonding over escape rooms, adventurous experiences, and challenging each other. It was unique to us, and our quirky relationship which can certainly be peak-nerdy at times (and we’re proud of it). And it showcased exactly how we enjoy surprising one another with thoughtful gifts and experiences that we know the other one will understand and appreciate, even when others may not fully get it. For instance - in addition to wanting to stump me in every way - Rohan also spent the days leading up to his proposal painting a custom made Golden Snitch that opens to form a ring box, just for my ENFJ-House-Gryfiindor-Harry-Potter-loving-self.
And it is this type of teamwork and unique elements of our Origin Story that Rohan and I worked into all parts of our wedding planning journey. We tackled things as equal partners, and planned unique touches into our wedding events that were signature #RohLani.
So I hope you’ll stay tuned to the blog as I begin to recap how we made calculated and creative decisions as a team and the advice we now have to offer others based on what we learned along the way!
On January 1, 2022 - #RohLani2022 was born…
Me after I walked into the wall out of shock
Rohan’s epic proposal wouldn’t have been complete without our fantastic families!
