Thirty-two years

We were total strangers when we got married. We have been married thirty-two years. We had decided to get married on a cheap budget in a remote place in India on a day when India celebrated her 28th independence day. On that day we had decided to start a new life to be dependent on each other, closing the previous chapter on each of our lives. We really did not know what that meant. We have had our ups and downs, frustrations, disappointments, love, anger, loudness, silence, differing interests as individuals, and so on. On the spur of the moment we said things to each other that we should not have said. The bottom line is we have survived. When we were married only about five years, someone at work had jokingly commented to me that it was time for a divorce. Perhaps in the environment we live in there is some truth to it. Lesson: Getting married is the easy part, staying married is hard work and requires compromise, because you do not live for yourself anymore.

Through all these years, after all the ups and downs, after losing my thick “Afro” hair (a few gray hair is what remains) deep down I love her very much. I am thankful that that marriage blossomed into a wonderful family with two lovely daughters, a beautiful home, many friends, and an adorable pet cat named “Tigger”. Granted, I have not been the ideal role model to my daughters at times. To be a good husband and a good father is a continuous learning process and the process doesn’t end. I am not very good at expressing my affection to my near and dear ones. I am sure I will leave this place one day with my inadequacies as a husband and as a father.

Regardless, it's time to celebrate. So, we had a great lunch today at Brennan's (thanks to our daughters for a gift card). I even got some flowers and some clothes for my dear wife. It has been a great day. Happy 32nd anniversary to the two of us!