Early December 2021
Ding dong, the doorbell rang at my in laws place.
I got up in my newly bought Indian nightgown (that only moms wear but I was SO HOT and needed some air š¤£). I opened the door not knowing that yet another pivotal life moment was about to occur, you know, the kind that occurs every time you meet someone youāll shortly connect with on a more than just an acquaintances level.
Two brothers stood on the other side of the door. āPull the door behind youā I said as I welcomed these soon not to be strangers in. They both stared at me for a second cause I sounded weird (weird American accent and all).
The rest is history.
āā
In all honesty, over the course of this India trip preparing for my Sister in lawās wedding, I came across many people I connected with on a much deeper level than just the generic acquaintance I wonāt remember tomorrow.
Whether it was dance practices, or getting our nails done, or decorating for the mehndi party – I was blessed to meet the sweetest people that I would have befriended independently of an intermediary had our paths crossed organically. There was no boundary of gender, no boundary of age as I am pretty sure some of the girls were a good 10 years younger than me, or aunties were old enough to be my mom. I connected with each of them the exact same!
The day I left, I had tears in my eyes for the first time ever leaving Indiaā¦ trust me when I say I *never* cry leaving India because Iām just so excited to get back home. But that day, I did. I could have done with 3-4 days more to get the full closure I needed with all the friends and family I would soon leave behind. In the hustle and bustle of the wedding, I needed just a few more post wedding hours with each person or group to feel content with going home. *Iām going to write more in depth separately about my already existing friends in a separate blog*
I kept telling people the feeling I felt was bittersweet because thatās what I usually feel. But now that Iām hardly an hour from touching down SFO, I realize the feeling was just bitter.
I met so many new people, each one changing my life for the better, but the best part of this trip was that I got to know my in laws better. When my sister in law left (albeit very briefly) I felt extremely lost in the house. I couldnāt do without her presence! I had long chats with my mother in law, and jokes with my Father in law. During your own wedding youāre so busy you donāt get a chance to really bond, especially as a foreigner, but this time we finally got to do that! I also got to know my SILās family closely, and they too turned out to be such wonderful warm people! Her MIL kept me in mind and gave me two packs of my favorite āchiwdaā before I left!
Anyhow, Iāll surely miss each and every person I met, or bonded further with, and will carry those memories with me till next time!
To be continued next timeā¦ (not via Pune Darshan š)
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From a mind that spends a lot of time thinking... 