US Woman Travels To This Indian Village To Marry Her Instagram Friend

New Delhi:

A US woman has travelled thousands of miles to marry the love of her life - a man who comes from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh.

Jaclyn Forero, a photographer, fell in love with Chandan after she came across his Instagram profile and was drawn to his simplicity and warmth.

Their love story began with a simple 'Hi'. It blossomed into heartfelt conversations. Over the next 14 months, they spoke with each other and fell in love. The couple is now planning to tie the knot.

In an Instagram post, Ms Forero wrote, "14 months together and ready for a BIG new chapter."

Sharing several moments of being together in a 45-second clip and revealing how a casual message turned into an unbreakable bond, she wrote, "I messaged Chandan first. From his profile, I saw that he was a passionate Christian man who knew theology."

She was drawn to his passions, which beautifully aligned with hers - music, art, and photography. Ms Forero added, "After 8 months dating online and getting my mother's overwhelming approval, she and I flew to India for the trip of a lifetime."

Describing how people reacted to their relationship, she wrote, "People have been everything from judgemental, to supportive to rude to very positive, awkwardly silent and everything in between. and let's not forget the age difference." She is nine years older than him.

She concluded the video, "The odds were stacked against us, but God has been miraculously opening doors and providing for us each step of the way. Because he [Jesus] brought us together and he'll see us through."

Their love story received immense support online.

One user commented, "9 years is nothing. My husband and I are 10.7 age difference. There will always naysayers. If you both are hearing from the Lord, them go for it. So happy for you both!"

Another wrote, "You both look fabulous together."

Sharing a similar story, a user wrote, "Seven months later, I was flying to India to marry him! That was 3 1/2 years ago, and he just arrived in the US last April! It's a crazy journey but so worth it."

Another wrote, "Me and my husband are also an international couple. We met online, met for the first time in Paris. Married the year after so we could stay together. It's been 9 years already. I hope the best for you both in your romantic love story."

Ms Forero and Chandan also have a YouTube channel, and their bio reads, "A divorced Christian mother struggling to find love centred on faith meets a younger man on Instagram living in a remote village in Andhra Pradesh."

The couple is now applying for Chandan's visa to start their lives together in the US. She said they were excited for a new chapter with big adventures in store.

A Cross-Cultural Wedding

The couple tied the knot in a traditional Indian ceremony held at Ravi’s ancestral home, surrounded by family, friends, and curious onlookers. The wedding featured all the rituals — from the mehndi and haldi ceremonies to the pheras and blessings from elders. Sarah, dressed in a red and gold lehenga, looked every bit the Indian bride, while Ravi donned a cream-colored sherwani.

Despite the language barrier, Sarah had learned basic Hindi phrases and even participated in wedding chants with the help of a translator. "I wanted to respect the culture and be a part of everything wholeheartedly," she said.

The wedding not only united two individuals but also symbolized a beautiful confluence of cultures. It showed that love, when genuine, can overcome distance, traditions, and even language.

Public Reaction and Media Spotlight

The story has since gone viral on social media, with many praising the couple for their courage and authenticity. While some netizens admired Sarah for embracing Indian traditions, others found inspiration in the power of digital platforms to bring people together in meaningful ways.

Local media covered the wedding extensively, and the couple has been approached by several outlets for interviews. They’ve since become unofficial ambassadors of cross-cultural relationships, sharing their story to encourage others to remain open-minded about love.

What’s Next for the Couple?

Sarah has decided to stay in India for now, adapting to her new life as the wife of a village resident. She’s exploring ways to work remotely and plans to start a blog documenting her experiences of living in rural India. The couple also plans to travel to the U.S. next year to meet Sarah’s extended family and complete the paperwork for Ravi’s travel visa.

Their story is a testament to the idea that love doesn’t always follow conventional paths. In a world increasingly divided by borders and ideologies, Sarah and Ravi’s union reminds us that sometimes, all it takes is a simple Instagram follow to change lives forever.