The old adage to never discuss politics fell on deaf ears with Ramya Raghavan and Jamison Ruth. They met in 2004 at the University of Michigan while both volunteering for the presidential campaign of John Kerry. A year later, during a trip to the Bahamas with college friends, Jamie’s grandparents banned political discussions aboard their sailboat. It was then the couple found they had many other things to talk about. On a secluded beach in Hawaii on Valentine’s Day 2012, Jamie proposed.
A Hindu ceremony took place at the Metropolitan Building in Long Island City, New York. Following southern Indian tradition, there were several days of family events and prayer ceremonies leading up to the vows, which culminated in the saptapadi, when the bride and groom symbolize their journey through life together by taking seven steps.
The bride is the daughter of Usha and V.J. Raghavan of Briarcliff Manor, New York. She attended the University of Michigan, where she received a BA in political science and English. Ramya is the head of politics and causes for Google+ in California.
The groom is the son of Rusty and David Ruth of New Canaan. He earned a BA in political science and economics at the University of Michigan. He is an account manager for politics and government at Facebook in Menlo Park.
The couple spent their honeymoon in Turkey, Tanzania and Zanzibar, and now make their home in San Francisco.