We're engaged! If you're reading this, you probably know that.

We are in the very early stages of planning, but here's what we can tell you: It will be fun. There will be an emphasis on laughter and joy and a de-emphasis on impressing you with the latest thing or the most expensive option. We hope to pull it off with a bit of class, but it's going to be our kind of class. The ceremony will incorporate some Hindu traditions and some of my traditions, from wherever I've gleaned them along the path, and some things that I'm sure will have elements of both. The bride will not wear white. The groom will not be wearing a tux. The bride WILL be hula hooping on the beach at some point. There will be color. There will be music, some provided by the amazing technology of ipods, some provided by friends and family. We hope you'll join us for music making and dancing. It doesn't have to be "good" dancing. We enjoy a good waltz, and we enjoy utter crazyness on the dance floor. There will likely be bad puns. There will be the most awesome maid of honor speech you've ever heard. There will be chocolate. There will be cultural mishmash. There will be joy.

We hope you can join us!

P.S. A note about "nerdlove" Dev and I are both Nerds. We define that as "anyone who is incredibly passionate about knowledge in some form" You can be a literature nerd, you can be a music nerd, you can be a gardening nerd. I fall under the category of history nerd, marine biology nerd, children's literature nerd, and probably a lot more on top of that. Dev is a computer nerd, a current events nerd, a math nerd, a biking nerd, a chemistry nerd, and well, he's just generally pretty nerdy. "Nerdlove" is what we say to each other whenever we kiss and our glasses clink against each other. And now that I think about it "glasses clinking put's one in mind of a toast, so it's all the more appropriate.

Here's a wonderful excerpt from Little Women, a book and movie that were very formative for me growing up. It shows a bit of the family potluck-esque style I want to bring to the wedding. A bit of drama and a bit of sparkle and a bit of class? Sure. But mostly this:


"You do look just like our own dear Meg, only so very sweet and lovely that I should hug you if it wouldn't crumple your dress," cried Amy, surveying her with delight when all was done. "Then I am satisfied. But please hug and kiss me, everyone, and don't mind my dress. I want a great many crumples of this sort put into it today . . . "

There were to be no ceremonious performances, everything was to be as natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in, to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down, and to catch a glimpse of the paternal minister marching upstairs with a grave countenance and a wine bottle under each arm.

"Upon my word, here's a state of things!" cried the old lady, taking the seat of honor prepared for her, and settling the folds of her lavender moire with a great rustle. "You oughtn't to be seen till the last minute, child."

"I'm not a show, Aunty, and no one is coming to stare at me, to criticize my dress, or count the cost of my luncheon. I'm too happy to care what anyone says or thinks, and I'm going to have my little wedding just as I like it. John, dear, here's your hammer." And away went Meg to help `that man' in his highly improper employment.