I’ve always been partial to stories with happy endings although you wouldn’t think that if you read most of my fictional work.
Today’s story is not fictional though and it began 15 years ago, on this date, to be exact. Every year, on the 4th of February, the man I married greets me with ‘Happy Anniversary’.
It’s uncanny how he never forgets this day considering every other date in the calendar, including his own birthday, is something he never remembers. The best part is that it isn’t the day we got married.
It’s the day we met for the very first time.
Ours is a very traditional story with a bit of an unusual twist or two. It was an arranged match and V had come over with his folks to meet me at my home.
The first unusual twist is this: I knew his sister very well because we had studied together in college. For 3 years. In fact, it was she who’d suggested that I’d be a good fit for V. Who knew that people would be recommending me for marriage? That was the first twist!
Second and although nobody believes this, I swear it’s true. I had never met V before this particular day, although I’d visited their home a few times when in college.
As it turned out he was away studying in another city and was never at home when I dropped by. In fact, I even remember telling my sister-in-law that I thought she only had one brother! Turns out she had two, who knew?
I recall the mutual nervousness that we had upon meeting each other but the casual almost informal way we managed to slip into conversation.
The fact that we clicked may have unnerved V a little though since I couldn’t stop talking for the 2 hours that we spent on lunch!
There were many things about him that engaged me at first glance- his smile, his easy conversational tone, his shrug of the shoulders when he didn’t want to argue further and the twinkle in his eyes as he watched me talk about my passions, my dreams and my future.
Yes, I know we’d just met, but there was something about him that made it very easy for me to talk freely. Don’t judge me!
At the end of the day, we parted ways, promising to keep in touch since I had to go back to finish my thesis for the next two months. He warned me not to expect too much correspondence because he wasn’t much of a letter writer.
So, it was with a very pleasant smile that I received the first card of his on Valentine’s Day. The guy was a romantic! I recall being mercilessly teased by my roommates for having my head in the clouds and they plugged their ears in mock agony when I began to talk about ‘Mr.Right’.
That card was followed by letters- long, lovely, rambling letters that were pieces of his soul written with so much care that I choked up, reading and re-reading each one.
This time was also punctuated with languid phone calls that stretched for over two hours at a time. If you ask me now what we talked about, I honestly cannot recall, except for once when I sang a song over the phone!
It was much, much later that I would find out more about this person- how he never believed in gifting people on birthdays and anniversaries, how he would always speak his mind and how he’d show me he cared, in more incredible ways than I can describe.
It isn’t everyday that an arranged match turns into a loving relationship where each person respects the other for who they are and grow together as a couple. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs like any marriage. In fact, a lot of our interests are very varied. He loves to cook while I do it only out of necessity. He reads very different books from the kind I enjoy. We have distinct hobbies that keep us happy. But, in a strange way, it works: this acceptance without too much expectation.
Writing this all down will help me preserve the memory of this day for a long time to come and I hope that some time in the distant future, when Gy asks about the love story that brought her parents together, she will read this and smile, the way I do even today when I think about it.
***
*Pinnable image courtesy: Shutterstock
What a lovely, lovely memory to share!! Happy anniversary to you both!!
Aww!!! I haven't met V yet but you guys sound perfect for each other.
And it makes a cute Story for Gy to read too
Thank you Roshni 🙂
That's the thing I love about blogging. It helps put all these memories down for reasonable posterity 🙂 Thank you, Sid.
So sweet, I like you V, he is a solid guy Shailaja. This is the perfect story of an arranged marriage. His support is not just here but throughout your blog. God bless.
Aww thank you, Indy 🙂 I agree. He is not the emphatic , social media supporting type but he is quiet and supportive always. Arranged marriages do have happy endings 🙂
I loved it then and now. I think it is sweet.
Aw… that's such a a weet love story. Strange how two different people can complete each other so perfectly, how they can have separate interests yet enjoy each other. This is what a perfect marriage is all about.
It's hardly perfect but it's pretty darn nice, I agree 🙂
Match definitely made in Heaven, that I grant you. I somehow feel I've known V before, from a previous life. Yes, I know how that sounds but that's what it feels like. Really. Thank you, darling 🙂
Such a sweet story. BTW, I can totally imagine how you could have talked non stop for 2 hours. 🙂 Having met him once, he seems like the quiet kinds who dotes on his wife. God bless you both! May you share many many years of married bliss together! Lots of love.
Oi! I don't talk that much 😉 Thank you for the wishes, Rachna!
🙂 Love your love story! I had a similar situation with a not so communicative partner, but when he did, it was/is wonderful! Stay blessed, Shailaja! Wishing you and V and Gy many many happy years as a family! May your love grow and keep you warm and cozy in its cocoon! Happy Anniversary!
Happy Happy Anniversary to both of you, Shailaja! May the blissful togetherness continue for many more decades. God bless you! We all have our varied interests, but as you mentioned, it is the acceptance without much expectation that makes the relationship click. Simply loved this post for various reasons. Touchwood! 🙂
Aww, that's a lovely love story. Those differences in taste combined with acceptance of each other makes the couple perfect. 🙂 Happy Anniversary, Shailaja. 🙂
Ironically.. I met my hubby in a similar way… His cousin was mu friend in college for three years and suggested it to the family… We met and then kept in touch for a long time before the actual weeding
Interestingly, ours too was an arranged marriage to begin with. I say to begin with, because it had its fair share of twists too.
Such a lovely memory to re-visit, Shy. Wishing you both many more years of happiness and togetherness! <3
That is so sweet Shailaja:-) Made me smile to read- thanks for sharing. May you stay blessed and happy always:-) Big hugs
I read your post and was tempted to put mine down. Went looking for the linky but it was closed by then. Glad that I shared it anyway. Made me thankful for so many things.
Thank you Rekha 🙂 Yes, the togetherness even within the differences is what makes it all more special.
Maybe not perfect but definitely something to appreciate. I know I have misunderstood him a lot in the past and I am guessing he has as well. Learning what to focus on and what to ignore are key, I find, in any relationship. Thank you Vinitha.
Aww how lovely! Mine was hardly 3 months of getting to know each other- a whirlwind romance, if you can call it that 🙂
Now you have to tell me your love story 🙂 Please please! I am so eager to know how couples meet 🙂 Thanks for reading, Shantala 🙂
Thank you so much, Eli! Coming from you it means something extra special! Hugs right back.
Awwww and more awwwww Shailaja.. a belated Happy Anniversary and a very fulfilling married life to you and V my dear.
Thank you so much, Aparna 🙂
That's a beautiful story Shailaja and I am really happy that you found such a wonderful spouse through an arranged marriage.
Thank you so much, Asha. I do count my blessings more often these days and value him more and more each day. 🙂
Is it the day of sharing love stories, today? First, Rachna, and now you….so much mush..on one day!
Loved reading your love story, Shy!
Stay blessed, you two lovebirds! 😛
Ha ha maybe it’s in the air. Thank you, Shilpa 🙂
This is such a sweet tale of love. Totally enjoyed reading your courting days.
God bless you both loads. ❤️
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Thank you so much, Nats 🙂
I remember this one. And it’s cute as ever.
A lovely story!
Thanks, Ritu 🙂
Lovely memory and lovely story. I go all gooey inside for the romantic stories and this one is no exception. Its just so cute! Thank you for sharing this with us.
What a super story. And happy anniversary.