13th July, 1992 - Our marriage was solemnized. It was a very simple marriage as you can see from the picture above, with just family and a few friends - reason, we were from different communities and there was cultural resistance all around.
After our marriage, we moved into a small rented apartment in Chennai. My husband was the eldest son in the family and had to support his family comprising of parents, and five siblings morally, and many a time financially.
We were happy to just be with one another, and things which are often dreams of youngsters like honeymoon, gifts, candle light dinners, long drives and quiet outings were forsaken as we worked around family priorities and commitments. Being an only child, I enjoyed the company of my sisters and brothers-in-law and my parents -in-law warmly welcomed me into the family like another daughter of theirs.
Soon my daughter and son were born. With the growth in the family, came more responsibility. My husband's siblings got married and settled down. The children were growing up, their needs and requirements grew along with the cost of living.
The year 2000 saw a major turn of events in our otherwise simple but happy life. My husband met with a road accident which forced him out of work for a year. We had ensured all our commitments had been met and did not have large savings. Whatever we had went into his treatment and recovery. The children were still small and we had a long way to go. It was as if life had come to a standstill.
I was prepared to do anything to help my husband recover. So I started working full time, to support the gap in income. It took seven years for my husband to completely recover, although he resumed work in little over a year from his accident. Those were trying times, when the whole family went through a crisis and all we could think about was the happy days and long for them again.
Over the last six years, we have been working hard to cover up last ground. The children have moved to college, which meant larger financial needs to support their education. Without us even realising, time had flown by.
13th July 2012 - Just like every year, I woke up and thanked God for his kindness. It was through his grace that we had overcome several challenges and were together for this time. Marriage Anniversaries had always been a quiet affair,with an occasional dinner or movie but nothing beyond that. For some reason, either the culture in the family or the financial commitments had ensured they stayed that way. Ever since my husband's accident, the occasion had become even more subdued, because the only emotion felt was that of relief rather than celebration.
As I was getting ready for work, my husband called me. He had a small blue pouch in his hand. I had no clue what it contained. He smiled at me gently, and put the bag in my hand. I pulled the string, to find two small white translucent ring boxes inside. I opened one after the other with trembling hands.
In the boxes sat two similar platinum rings . I was speechless. Tears were rolling down my eyes. It was the first piece of jewelry my husband had bought for me after my marriage! Nothing, absolutely nothing in the world can equate my feeling that moment! Neither of us, spoke a word. We sat there in silence for several minutes, having discovered our platinum day of love!
Over the years, our love had grown and matured! We had sacrificed several little joys to find greater ones as years went by. We had learnt to find happiness in making others happy!What better way to cherish and commemorate our life together than platinum! From that day,the rings have never left our fingers! They will stay with us and after our time as a symbol of true love !
This is my entry for the Indiblogger Platinum Day of Love Contest!
