Being half-Filipino, half-Italian, it was always Eric’s dream to go to the Philippines to meet his mom’s side of the family. In September of 2016, he finally made that dream a reality. Suraj, who has been close friends for several years with Eric, requested Menka to take Eric out when he was in the Philippines. On his last night in the Philippines, Menka took Eric out with her friends and showed him the Manila nightlife.
Eric flew back to the US the next day, and they kept in touch occasionally through text for the next couple of years...
In 2018, Menka flew to New York to check out Columbia University for her Master's. She messaged Eric to see if he was in town that week, and fortunately, he was. They met up for a drink one evening and enjoyed being in each other’s company...
Menka moved to New York in August. Eric (who was living in Philadelphia) came to NYC one weekend to hang out with Suraj and a few of the guys. The ladies were invited out that night with them. At dinner, Eric ended up sitting next to Menka, and the two of them talked all night. Menka invited Eric to come over and see her apartment the next day since she was so excited to be living by herself for the first time. He said he would drop by the next afternoon before taking the train back to Philadelphia.
The next afternoon, Eric went over with a bottle of wine. They spent all day hanging out, talking, and laughing. After some wine and dinner, Eric took the train back to Philadelphia...
Menka and Eric kept in touch more regularly over the next few weeks. After a few weeks, without Menka knowing, Eric called Suraj and asked him if he could ask his sister out on a date. Suraj said 'of course' happily.
Eric asked Menka out that evening and she said yes! Eric planned a dinner at one of his favorite restaurants in New York City, Han Dynasty, followed by a movie. It was Menka's perfect first date. They both had such a great time and continued to go on more dates after that...
Three wonderful years later, Eric, with the help of Suraj and a few of his other friends, planned the perfect proposal. Eric told Menka he had a client meeting in New York City and he wanted her to meet these very important "clients" of his. He brought her to the rooftop of The Peninsula Hotel, Salon de Ning, where they found themselves the only patrons there, as Eric planned. They hung out while waiting for Eric's “clients” to come. After a few minutes of chatting, Eric got down on one knee with a ring on his hand and asked Menka to marry him. Menka, of course, said yes!
After that, Eric planned a high tea at The Peninsula lobby bar, where they both enjoyed some tea, cake, and light snacks. Menka drilled Eric with lots of questions on how he planned the perfect proposal and how he managed to keep it a surprise. Eric answered all her questions patiently and excitedly.
Eric told Menka he planned another surprise for her after tea...
He took her to the Elsie Rooftop, where Menka found her family and some of their closest friends waiting to celebrate them. They spent the evening celebrating, with champagne and happy tears overflowing all around!