He Told Her at 16 He’d Marry Her. Eleven Years Later, They Celebrated Their Roka

Puneet and Harvir met on the very first day of high school, when they were thirteen. “I was so incredibly fortunate to meet my best friend, Harvir, on the first day of high school,” Puneet shares. They stayed friends at first, even though the feelings were already there. “Our feelings for each other were so strong, but we focused on our friendship.”

By the summer of grade 10, that friendship had become something more, and at sixteen, Harvir asked Puneet to be his girlfriend.

“When we officially started dating, he would tell me daily that I was the only one he was going to marry, and he would do anything in his power to make it happen.” At the time, Puneet admits, it was a lot to hear from someone so young. “It was an overwhelming display of love and commitment at such a young age. But true love knows no limits.”

Because dating wasn’t something they openly talked about at home, the two found their own little place to be together: a local spot they called The Hill. “This spot was our sanctuary,” Puneet says. “It was out in nature, which is something we both really love, and it was a little slice of heaven just for us.” Over the years, The Hill became part of some of their biggest moments, first a promposal, and later, a marriage proposal.

“I've always wanted an 'English' proposal like in all of the Hollywood rom-coms/chick-flicks I grew up watching,” Puneet shares. Harvir remembered that, and after nine years together, brought her back to the place that had always been theirs. “Since I've met Harvir, he's always told me how he has such a special place in his heart for me and our connection feels so effortless. I have never felt more seen, understood, respected, and cherished than with my life partner.”

On October 8, 2023, eleven years after they first met, Puneet and Harvir celebrated their Roka.

“Our Roka was not only the official welcome ceremony into each other's families but a celebration of our love alongside our nearest and dearest,” Puneet says.

She spent more than a year planning it and filled the day with details that meant something to both families. “My family walked into the same wedding song that my grandparents walked into my parents' wedding with. It was iconic!”

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Puneet also knew exactly how she wanted to look. “I always knew I would wear a vintage-style tissue silk saree for my Roka ceremony, and my designer Nistara @ Balunguda NAILED it.” Nistara created a custom hand-embroidered sage green silk tissue saree for Puneet and a Banarasi silk Nehru jacket over an embroidered kurta for Harvir.

After more than a decade together, Puneet’s advice is simple: give yourself time and don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re supposed to enjoy it too. “Give yourself time to daydream! Pinterest can be such a great starting point to get an idea of what your own individual vision is without following any trends.” Her other reminder might be the best one: “This is your function! You are also a GUEST, not just a host.”

And above all: “Be in the magic. Feel it. <3”