ensures

As someone said “Silver Jubilee” is a big chunk of time in anyone’s life and hitting a major milestone which is a part of it, en route is significant. You may forgive me for my own sense of astonishment that with all my quirks my marriage with Aparna has raced past the “22 years Old’ sign. I have no hesitation to acknowledge with deepest gratitude that this memorable journey was garnished and sweetened with Founder of The Art of Living , Pujya Gurudev HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar‘s infinite and unconditional blessings.

Archies or Walmark couldn’t stock a card on their shelves to let you know how much I feel grateful for just being in our lives. So I ventured to make an attempt myself. Can I really describe it in mere words how special she is to me.No! My mind went blank and otherwise rich vocabulary appeared inadequate . This is a result of  countless backspaces/del buttons (my 17th Edit version is what has got published, says WordPress stats) as I was pretty sure there were better ways to appreciate & acknowledge what this amazing lady Aparna meant to me.

Friends and well wishers definitely congratulate me on the momentous occasion  but they recognize and give all the credits Aparna for this (rightly so). On the Financial year end, 31st March of 1991 at 12:21 pm when she walked on to a Mantap of a Wedding Hall in Dharwar, she never dreamt what she was getting into, but by God,she did win every single battle for us (me and children) and help us leap over every single obstacle, softening the landing absorbing al the pains, if any.

Many hundreds of my friends, their families and their friends, Children’s classmates and their parents would gladly testify the unbeatable and irresistible warmth of her hospitality – all this made commendable simply being a wonderful mother to 2 demanding children and a fussy “Me”

Thanks to her, we as a family couldn’t help but simply fall in love with her over and gain, every moment as she brought out the best in us. She definitely cannot be classified as being expressive in her love and but never once has anyone who has come across her, escaped her dragnet of love. That is Aparna for you.

On each birthday of my daughter (incidentally she was due on March 31st, on our wedding anniversary but missed it by 2 days to arrive on 3rd April) – My wish to her always, Grow up to be like your Amma, the one who is radiant and absorbent of light (not a stealer, I mean) and you will make me the most happiest father in the world. To my children I just always ask them to emulate the dignity of her ways and strength in her demeanour. And she is not the one to miss a single pulse, emotional upheavals or even a mood change and as always has a remedy that lightens and secures the environs.

She has been the core of ourexistence, and when I mentally step out, sit back and look at everything that she stands for, It is Pure Awe!!! At a stage in my life I couldn’t but help become passive recognizing the inspirational grandeur of this Woman and more my Friend than wife, Aparna I only thank the Divine for gifting me a soul mate who never once in this journey of 22 years made me feel alone.

No tribute is complete till I acknowledge her brilliant culinary skills – with almost any ingredient she has this ability today convert it to a Kingly meal – I have to say she has come a long way since 1991, when she did not even know that water is needed to cook rice in Cooker – on the days when I couldn’t cook it was always delicious Mosaranna (Curd rice) which was our staple diet.

Happy 22nd Anniversary Aparna, and Congratulations (and Kudos) for having made this possible. I (and Children and our friends) love you more than I have possibly written here. Thanks YOU for whatever you are.Love you loads and have a fantastic day! Wishing that we celebrate many many years of this day for ages to come and cross the 25 and 50 milestone (Yeah Brace up for the challenge 😉

If the Divine were to offer me a boon to change something in you, I would forgo that boon and continue to have you just as you are (except maybe requesting you to give that one extra serving of Ice-Cream or Panner Butter Masala)

With loads of love

Here is the Song, a favourite of yours (for Old times sake)