Love at first sight, growing together, and embracing parenthood—Dheeraj and Vinny share what makes their love story magical.
Not every love story feels like a fairytale, but for Dheeraj Dhoopar and Vinny Arora Dhoopar, theirs certainly does. From a teenage crush to a forever kind of love, their journey is straight out of a romantic film—one with heartwarming moments, a touch of drama, and the kind of love that only gets stronger with time.
Valentine Day 2025: ‘I wasn’t the type to believe in love at first sight, but it happened’
Vinny was just 18 when she met Dheeraj, and despite being skeptical about the idea of love at first sight, she found herself experiencing it firsthand.
“As much as I hated that term—I always thought love at first sight was shallow because appearances aren’t everything—it happened. And I loved it. Because he’s not just a good-looking guy; he’s an incredible human being,” she shares.
But while Vinny knew right away, Dheeraj took his time.
“I liked her a lot, but I always saw her as a great friend who took care of me,” he recalls. “Back then, when I had just moved to Mumbai, she was the one picking me up for shoots, dropping me back home, bringing me home-cooked food. She became my support system. I didn’t even realize when I had fallen for her—until we had a fight and weren’t talking. That’s when it hit me: I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”
A love built to last
Fifteen years later, their bond is stronger than ever. While Dheeraj might have been slow to realize his feelings, once he did, there was no looking back.
“The moment I told her I liked her, I knew this was for life. It was never about dating for a few months and seeing where it goes—I was already thinking about marriage. She became my world, and even now, I can’t think beyond this life we’ve built together,” he says.
And though Vinny was the one who fell first, she never made the first move.
“All our friends knew I liked him, but I was too shy to say anything. Looking back, I think it worked in my favor because Dheeraj can be a little immature when it comes to attention,” she laughs. “If I had confessed too soon, he might not have taken it seriously. He needed time to figure out his own feelings, and I’m glad he did.”
Parenthood: The chapter that brought them even closer
If love changed their lives, parenthood transformed their relationship. Becoming parents to their son, Zayn, deepened their bond in ways they never imagined.
“We always tell our friends and family that we were ready for this. When we got Oreo (our pet dog), he taught us what it’s like to take care of a baby, and the emotional bond was already there,” they share. “Parenthood is beautiful. When you create something together with someone you love, it brings you even closer.”
Forever Valentines
So what makes them each other’s forever valentine?
Dheeraj doesn’t hesitate. “Because there’s no one better for us.”
And Vinny? She sums it up like a true romantic: “I fell in love at 18 with a prince charming, got married, had a child, and built a beautiful life. If that’s not a modern fairytale, I don’t know what is. And I want to keep it that way—forever.”
