Our Story

Sometimes the best stories are written by timing — ours began with missed chances and found its way to perfect alignment. We were at the University of York at the same time but never met, only to end up working on the same street years later in Westminster — Nikhil at the Department for International Trade and Anakha at Westminster City Council.

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In early 2020, after a digital introduction and plenty of messages back and forth, we went on ten dates over the course of two months — just before the world suddenly stopped. When lockdown began, we faced the question of whether to keep seeing each other during a global pandemic. Thankfully, we decided to continue (Covid-compliantly, of course).

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What followed was a modern love story — long walks in the park come rain or shine, endless rounds of Virtual Scrabble, online quizzes, and the moment Nikhil met Pepper, Anakha’s Yorkshire Terrier and the real gatekeeper to her heart. The first time they met, Pepper curled up and fell asleep with her face in Nikhil’s hand — her silent seal of approval that this was something special.

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Since then, we’ve navigated lockdowns, career changes, medical challenges, and made our first flat a home — all while ticking off our 30 countries by 30 challenge.

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Over the years, we’ve built a life filled with comedy, travel, a shared love of sci-fi and fantasy films, cricket (especially the IPL), dogs, and a mutual love of board games, escape rooms, and turning everyday, mundane things into fun contests.

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We’re opposites in many ways but together, we’ve found the perfect mix of excitement and comfort. Nikhil even managed to convince Anakha to swap London for life in leafy Hertfordshire (temporarily, at least), which must mean he’s doing something right.

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Now, after years of laughter, memories, and countless adventures together, we’re ready for our greatest one yet — celebrating our wedding surrounded by the people we love most.