THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN JOURNEYS SUMMER 2023. 

Apurv Suri and Carol Kumala, both graduates of the Singapore American School class of 2009, were once mere acquaintances. Although they shared classes and friends in high school, there was never a romantic spark between them. They went their separate ways after graduation, both pursuing their own paths.

Little did they know that fate would bring them back together years later.

In college, their paths crossed again and they grew closer together as they pursued their studies, Suri in New York and Kumala in Boston. The spark ignited when they took a trip to Bali together and fell deeply in love, realizing that their high school experience together was just the beginning of a beautiful love story.

In December 2022, Suri proposed to Kumala in the high school foyer, making it the first marriage proposal known to have taken place at SAS. The proposal was a complete surprise to Kumala, who had no idea what was happening.

Suri had spent months secretly planning the event with SAS's Associate Director of Alumni Relations Beth Toole. He shares, “I convinced Carol there was an alumni event and there was even a fake invite that was sent through an SAS email, so it became even more believable!”

Some may wonder why Suri chose to propose at SAS. For the couple, the school holds a
special place in their hearts. They have many fond memories from their time there, from
Interim Semester trips to celebrating SAS's 50th anniversary to the many educators who positively influenced them. Suri shares, “I wanted to do something that was unique but also very personal. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to do this at their high school, especially since we were the first proposal at SAS!”

Kumala reminisces, “It was very special. Apurv was clearly very nervous, which I believe is normal. He had his speech written on his hand but unfortunately due to his nervousness and the humidity, the words were no longer visible on his palms.” Nevertheless, Suri managed to impress her with a touching proposal and they exited SAS that night, chauffeured in a golf cart, as an engaged couple. They plan to hold their wedding ceremony in Bali next year, where many SAS alumni will be reunited.