From Struggle to Strength: My Parents' Love Story

My story begins with my parents two souls brought together by fate, only to face the harshest trials for their love. My father, a proud Keralite, and my mother, a strong-willed Tamilian, first met during their college years in Trivandrum. What started as friendship soon blossomed into a beautiful three-year romance. They dreamed of a future together, but when college ended, reality set in. My mother pursued her passion for teaching, and my father began his career in banking. Despite their busy lives, they stayed deeply connected, knowing they wanted to spend their lives together.

When they finally revealed their relationship to their families, everything changed. My father’s Christian parents rejected my mother because she was Tamilian, and my mother’s parents refused to accept my father due to his faith. For two long years, they tried to win their families' approval, enduring countless arguments and tears, but the answer was always no. Realizing they couldn’t wait any longer, my parents made a bold decision. On March 21, 1995, they got married in secret, choosing love over everything else. Tragedy struck that same day—my father’s father, unable to cope with their decision, took his own life.

The aftermath was devastating. Both families cut ties with my parents, leaving them isolated and heartbroken. Determined to build a life together, they left their hometowns and moved to Mumbai. They vowed never to return until their families accepted them. Those years were difficult, but their love gave them strength. For the first two years of their marriage, they put aside thoughts of having children, focusing instead on healing and building a new life.

In 1997, a life-changing opportunity arose. My father received an offer to work for the United Nations. Seeking a fresh start, they moved to Brooklyn, New York. Life in a new country wasn’t easy, but my father worked tirelessly, and my mother took a job at a local school before dedicating herself to building a warm, loving home. Slowly but surely, they found stability and happiness.

With their lives settling into place, they decided it was time to expand their family. On December 8, 1998, I was born—their “little princess.” I was the light they had been waiting for, a symbol of their perseverance and love. My parents' journey was far from easy, but their story taught me the meaning of resilience, sacrifice, and the power of true love.

This is where it all began—the story of how my parents’ unshakable bond became the foundation of my life. Their love is my legacy, and this is only the beginning.

To be continued...