Happy Anniversary

Embracing the Opal’s Radiance every 1,07,22,24,000 moments

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“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert A. Heinlein

Dearest Aparna,

Happiness evident – When we went to receive our son returning to India after 2.5 years

As we celebrate 34 years of marriage, I am in awe of the incredible journey we’ve shared. These 34 revolutions around the Sun have been filled with joy, challenges, laughter, and tears, all navigated hand in hand. You have been my rock, my confidante, and the love of my life. Celebrating 34 years of marriage with you is a testament to the strength and beauty of a lifelong partnership. Is this milestone just a number for us? No way, it represents years of shared experiences, unwavering support, and a deep bond that has only grown stronger with time.

Love is not about Both Looking at each other, but both looking in same Direction

Thank you for giving me a love so profound that I cannot imagine my life without it. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and to everyone who is part of our lives. When someone asked me to pick the best moment of these 34 years – I knew they expected a different answer, but I also knew it was impossible to choose a single moment – I realized that 1,07,22,24,000 represents the countless moments of happiness we’ve shared, each one more precious than the last, that every single second with you has been a treasure.

The journey began 34 years ago when two hearts decided to embark on a life together in Dharwad on this day 34 years back and an unseasonal rain. Most of the anniversaries have been like that ever since – a surprise shower. Like in every Indian marriages, early years were filled with excitement and discovery as we navigated the newness of married life. From setting up our home to learning each other’s quirks and habits, these initial years laid the foundation for a strong and enduring relationship – it was a life lesson in action – Opposite values complement each other.

“Looking back, we realized early enough that marriage is a journey filled with love, challenges, growth, and countless memories. As in anyone’s our journey has not always been easy, but your unwavering support and calming presence have seen us through every storm. Even when the boat was rocked, you stood by us, offering reassurance and strength. Your love and dedication have been the foundation of our family, and I am forever grateful for your presence in my life.

His entry into the made family complete, just by himself. Yet another gift impossible with you

If I could go back to 31st March 1991 and relive these 34 years, I wouldn’t change a thing. I would choose you all over again, without hesitation. Your role as a mother, both to our biological and Manasik children, has been nothing short of extraordinary. You have been the silent strength, letting others speak while you listened with a heart full of love. Our journey together has been a testament to the power of love, commitment, and partnership.

No marriage is without its challenges, and ours is no exception. There were times when life tested your resolve, but each challenge only served to strengthen your bond. Whether it was navigating financial difficulties, health issues, or personal disagreements, we faced each obstacle together, never allowing anyone (yes, no one!!!) to crowd the relationship emerging stronger and more united. It was never always easy, but we made it work, together. You may not always see the glass as half full, but you have a unique way of making everyone around you believe in the impossible. For us, it has been a combination of love, respect, communication, and compromise. We have learned to appreciate each other’s strengths and accept each other’s flaws. We grew together, adapting to the changes that life brings and always finding new ways to support and uplift each other.

Our children, Divya and Vishnu, are the greatest testament to our love. They have grown into remarkable individuals, embodying the values and love we have nurtured in our family. Divya’s kindness and Vishnu’s strength are reflections of your unwavering dedication as a mother. Watching them grow and succeed has been one of the greatest joys of our lives, and I am grateful every day for the family we have built together.

The Quads – in thick and think of life

As we celebrate 34 years of marriage, it is also a time to look ahead to the future. There are still many adventures to be had, dreams to be pursued, and memories to be made. The journey is far from over, and with you by my side, I can face whatever the future holds with confidence and joy. What an incredible 41 years it has been since we first met, and 34 years as my beloved co-passenger in life. I am eternally grateful for you, my irreplaceable “better half.” Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and togetherness.

Here is a the song as a tribute to you that was discovered a while ago and but bookmarked as a tribute to be posted today

Loads of love, Happy Opal Anniversary!

Time Flew away…It’s Pearl Day

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Yes, 3 decades to be precise and so what. With a Pilot like Aparna, it is has been such a delightful flight. Thank you dear one for 30 years of tolerating me with a smile (make it 37 years if we add the years after we met for the 1st time and thank God again, 7 years did not change your mind despite me). I claim the privilege to have met someone at 16 and continued to go on and on forever and here we are batt(l)ing at 30 not out.

Looking back, there are so many things I could talk about. Was it love at first sight (yes, maybe), Did it ever occur that marriage is where we were headed? (I don’t want to answer, I don’t want any injury on 31st March revealing the truth) When did we know we are meant for each other (no idea, and it does not matter – WE ARE TOGETHER AND THAT IS WHAT MATTERS) and here we are. What an amazing Journey it has been and I am sure it shall be for years to come.

When someone asked me if looking into each other’s eyes is Love, I shared a piece I wrote earlier (25th Anniversary) You can read that here Thanks I am Not-a-Philosopher

As I said then and I say that still “ Real love is not looking at each other but looking together in same direction”

Is real love looking into each other’s eyes?

And for those young ones who wonder, it has not always been “Flying” – only time flew. We also had our share of challenges which was easily navigated (easily may be exaggeration but it was made to look so easy). That is why I consider myself so lucky. That calming, comforting and reassuring shoulders next to you matters a lot. That is why I always tell people around me, I don’t celebrate Wedding Anniversaries or Birthday, We all Celebrate Her! She is the one who ensures that none of us feel even at the lowest moment that the glass is even half empty (in reality it may be stone dry). That is what she means to my (and all others’ lives)

And the biggest gift to the family was the two gems of our lives – so carefully nurtured and values instilled, it takes a big thing to be a mother to growing up children and a husband to a demanding husband. She fit the role to the T, while she kept the household going in all respects.

So here it is from all of us, Happy Wedding Anniversary Aparna. You are amazing indeed. Thanks for being you.

File Picture

I was told by a friend that 30th wedding Anniversary is called the Pearl Anniversary (now you know the significance of the title of this piece). BTW! With a Pearl around, Pearl anniversary should be the name every year. I am sure everyone who knows her would agree with this.

I said this before and I repeat same lines – I have nothing else to add, year after year and after each birthday and wedding anniversary, except to say that it has only got better, like the wine. It has been an amazing journey for me with her presence. As they say in Mechanical Engineering, a perfect fit. People ask me how does it work, the relationship that kept blossoming, the love that multiplied, family and no of extended family getting larger and larger, yet what clicks and where do you find the time to nurture the relationship. My honest answer was “I don’t know! It is her and all credits to her”  For no rhyme or reason, it is simply working well and Thank Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji of the Art of Living and also the Divine who chose to shower infinite blessings on me, by bringing her into my life.

Though Bachelor Boy by Cliff Richards was the rage those days, thank God, I chose to fall in love with this number by Lionel Richie “Always and Forever” (I saved this for today knowing for sure that we will get here and Word! WE GOT HERE INDEED)

You are the Best Thing on each of 9862 Days

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Twenty Seven up and even after 9862nd day it looks like it was just yesterday that we tied the proverbial knot. Every year when I sit down to pen these words of genuine gratitude, I only end up thinking (and concluding) that this amazing soul deserves much much more and no amount of blog space is enough to describe what she is!

Happy 27th Anniversary Aparna (Yeah! Pat yourself on your back, you cohabited with this guy for 27 long years) – What is a milestone for many including me, for you it just another day – undiminishing enthusiasm and amazingness as it was on 31st March 1991, every day, & today.

Surely it is not like those Mills and Boon books kind of romance, but I can honestly declare it as no less than that. Every moment of lives we spent together (and in rare occasions when we were apart due to our travels) has been special and it would be a BIG LIE! if I were to claim it was due to me. Thank you for everything. A lot of things have been achieved – Academically, Professionally and Socially too. Your role in each it has been beyond measure atleast in those bits that has turned out great in our lives. Just to give you an example – Our lovely gems Akhila and Ashrit. The way you have chiselled them into a wonderful sculpture – it is beyond words. What a gift they turned out to be, thanks to you.

I heard a friend quoting “A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” Well!!! I am the proof of the one who has been bestowed this favour (or should I say it is an understatement?)

This piece and our lives would never be complete without offering our Pranams and Gratefulness to Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for His Presence and influence in our lives. He is yet another who has bestowed His unconditional love and affection and Blessings on us perpetually and been inspiring us to cross of oceans of challenges smilingly.


Happy Anniversary! You are the BEST Thing that happened to me! This is also My song selected for today.  Thoughtfully presented by Ray LaMontagne – just for me

And since we are off to a Temple – an early surprise celebration by the Kids who enliven our lives

The other highlight – Barring just 2 years out of 27 (including our Wedding day) Lord Varuna has unfailingly showered (literally) His Blessings on us. Just like it is raining right now