Sitting in the lovely room with her mother, she was feeling extremely nervous. The damn garment weighed tonnes and weighed her down so bad that she couldn’t even pace around to calm her nerves. She had never used makeup in her life, and all that jewelry was making her feel nauseous. As she looked in the mirror, she saw a girl she couldn’t recognize. She looked all grown up and mature, almost like a stranger. She tried to fathom the sentiment in her eyes but couldn’t. They looked blank. It is another story that she had waited, literally pined for this day to dawn. Just the thought of the day had driven her mind to ecstasy. But now, she had a bad case of nerves.

She peeped through the curtains of her first floor room and could see a bunch of people walking into the venue through the gate. She was looking out for one particular man but could not make out any individuals in the melee. Everyone was smiling. There was a lot of festivity and happiness palpable in the air even though she could not hear any voices. Her mother was just gazing at her face quietly, not saying a word, no doubt experiencing a lot of emotions of her own. But the two of them just kept quiet while their minds raced. Then the door opened and in came the sister and cousin. It was time to go. It was time…

It was a surreal experience, as she went escorted by two pretty women on both sides. She kept her eyes low, as she walked towards a beautifully decorated stage. She could feel people turning to look at her, their conversations ceasing, and their eyes clearly glued on her. That walk of a few meters seemed the longest in her life. Somehow, she made it to the stage without tripping, falling or passing out. As she stood there waiting, little butterflies did a merry dance in her tummy. She could sense him come on to the stage before she saw him. He was surrounded by others. He had a big smile on his face, and his eyes were twinkling. That sight suddenly dissipated her nervousness. Her mind shut out the banter and noise, as she focused on his handsome face and her face broke out in a big smile. Oh yes, she wanted this. This was going to be fun after all, as he took her hands in his own warm ones. She swiftly pushed all anxieties away and got ready to undergo the rituals of a big, fat Indian wedding.

***

On 11th December, we celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary! His eyes still twinkle!

114 responses to “To a new beginning!”

  1. Seeta Avatar

    Wow, there is so much happiness in this pic! after a long time I am seeing a perfect picture of a blushing bride.. beautiful 🙂 Happy Anniversary Rachna! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Seeta! The pandit was truly funny and cracking jokes so in most of the wedding pics you will see us smiling or laughing :).

      Like

  2. Rickie Avatar

    And I am the first to wish you folks – A very lovely and happy wedding anniversary!

    Loved the snow flakes effect! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rickie Avatar

      Ok, so maybe not the first one to wish. 😀

      Like

    2. Rachna Avatar

      Yep, some festivity on the blog along with the season. Thanks again for the wishes even though you are not the first one :D!

      Like

  3. Subhorup Dasgupta Avatar

    A lovely tribute to love!! Happy anniversary to all five of you.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks Subho for the wishes and for including the five!

      Like

  4. janu Avatar
    janu

    Wow! Congrats and wishing you many more years of happy married life.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar
  5. The Fool Avatar

    Nice. Congrats and best wishes.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, TF!

      Like

  6. Bhagyashree Avatar

    You mentioned warm hands and I knew that it was your own experience 🙂 Happy Anniversary Rachna and Gurdev

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks Bhagya! Just goes to show that you have fantastic memory :).

      Like

  7. R's Mom Avatar

    Sigh! What a lovely lovely lovely write up and super nice pic 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your warm words :).

      Like

  8. Susan Deborah Avatar

    Beauifully expressed Rachna. Wishing you and Gurudev, love, joy, happiness and everything that is needed to make your life wholesome and beautiful.

    Joy always,
    Susan

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, dear Susan, from both of us!

      Like

  9. nabanita Avatar

    wow what a nice write up… Happy Wedding Anniversary Rachna 🙂

    You guys look very good together.. Touch wood !

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks Naba! Thanks for all the love :)!

      Like

  10. Ruch Avatar

    Awwww .. Happy Aninversary Rachna. Here’s raising a toast to many many many more years of happiness and togetherness !

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you my dear for all your lovely wishes!

      Like

  11. ilakshee Avatar

    Wow Rachna! Happy Anniversary and here’s wishing you many more warm moments and days of twinkling eyes!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Ilakshee :).

      Like

  12. afshan Avatar

    I went all aww reading that “He had twinkle in his eyes and ur and that she swiftly pushed anxieties away :)”
    Wish you many more years of happiness and Love.

    Afshan

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Aww Thanks so much, Afshan! Never mind the typo; the emotion counts.

      Like

  13. afshan Avatar

    and ur was a typo ! Please ignore 🙂

    Like

  14. alkagurha Avatar

    You look so happy Rachna. Keep smiling. Both of you.
    My best wishes.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Alka, always!

      Like

  15. sakshinanda Avatar

    Lovely post and an even lovelier photograph. Congratulations to you. May the smiles and the twinkling continue for all times to come. 🙂
    (PS – Acc. to some foreign tradition, the traditional gift for the 13th Anniversary is Lace. No, I am not trying to drop hints by saying read my ‘Super SEO Wala’ post.:D)

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Arre, I have already read your super-SEO post and enjoyed it thoroughly too ;-)! Thanks for the warm wishes, Sakshi!

      Like

  16. Rekha Avatar

    Wow! That picture says it all. You look so pretty and his smile justifies it all. Advance Anniversary wishes to both of you. May you celebrate many more decades of togetherness and may that twinkle in his eyes be there for you to adore always. God Bless You! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Rekha! Overwhelmed with all the love!

      Like

  17. Aditi Avatar

    Awww…that was so cut!! Lovely you both look…Happy Anniversary…may the twinkle in his eye, the smile on your face and the love in your hearts never die!

    Like

      1. Rachna Avatar

        Thank you so much for your fantastic wishes, Aditi!

        Like

  18. Sid Avatar

    Rachna, not a lot of posts make me go “Aww” – at least not in the positive sense of the word. I am man after all; we’re not great at expressing stuff. But then, this post has not just made me go aww, but I’ve just had to re-read, just because how beautifully you’ve described that bond you share, even prior to walking down that aisle. And the photograph, mashallah! Here’s wishing you and Mr.G, many many and lots more many years of marital bliss and togetherness. God Bless 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      That is such a heartwarming comment, Sid! Yes, I know all about not being able to express but you men have your spurts of brilliance, as I witnessed in your post that you penned on your lovely wife. I am happy that the emotions connected with you. On some level, all women feel this, and I am sure the men have the butterflies in their tummies too. I actually had a mad urge to run as well :). The occasion is just so momentous and beautiful. Thanks for the lovely wishes!

      Like

  19. Surabhi Avatar

    Rachna.. my wishes on your anniversary. That’s indeed a lovely journey. Congratulations on completing 13 years of togetherness and yes, you look like Kajol in that pic! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks Surabhi! Imagine, all these years, I didn’t even know :).

      Like

  20. Jairam Mohan Avatar

    Congrats Rachna, loved the post and loved the picture even more. May you have many more decades of togetherness and may the twinkle in his eyes and the smiles on your face continue forever. Happy anniversary wishes in advance 😀

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks for the lovely wishes, Jairam!

      Like

  21. Sandhya Kumar Avatar

    The closeness is very well expressed, Rachna! Best wishes to both of you! Be happy like this always!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Sandhya!

      Like

  22. Jas Avatar

    That’s so heartfelt 🙂 so cute. Happy wedding anniversary… stay blessed.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar
  23. Sheethal Avatar

    Happy Anniversary to you both! And Rachna, what a beautiful picture and you are looking so pretty… the perfect happy bride! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Sheethal :).

      Like

  24. Sfurti Avatar

    Beautiful and warm post Rachna. Wish both of you a happy anniversary and many more to come. Touchwood!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar
  25. jaishvats Avatar

    Wish you a very happy anniversary Rachna 🙂 Warm post 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Jaish :).

      Like

  26. T Avatar

    What a lovely picture…hope the smiles are firmly in place even 13 years since. Wish you more of joy, love and everything in between. Happy Anniversary!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, T! Yes the smiles are still there :).

      Like

  27. Amit Avatar

    Wishing you a very happy anniversary Rachna! 13 years? That is like forever! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Amit! Indeed, it feels like huge :).

      Like

  28. Dagny Avatar

    Look at that smile on you! More than pleased, weren’t you. Wish you both lots of love and joy. May your years of togetherness deepen your bond and your smiles.

    Hugs…

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, dear! Absolutely, I was delighted. You caught that beautifully :).

      Like

  29. Bhavana Shankar Rao Avatar
    Bhavana Shankar Rao

    A very happy anniversary to you and Gurudev.
    Beautifully written and I could almost visualise your wedding 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Bhavana :).

      Like

  30. Rahul Avatar
    Rahul

    Wishing you a very happy anniversary and a day of rejoicing and more happiness with every passing day,Rachna 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Rahul :).

      Like

  31. rama Avatar
    rama

    Beautiful write up, and a beautiful picture too.
    Wishing you all the very best in life!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Rama!

      Like

  32. Paresh Kale Avatar

    Very happy anniversary ! My best wishes to the couple 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Paresh!

      Like

  33. Shilpa Garg Avatar

    Love this pic! A very happy anniversary to both of you! 🙂
    Stay blessed always! Cheers 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Shilpa :).

      Like

  34. Naina Madan Avatar

    Happy anniversary to you both! Such a vivid description of the bride waiting in the other room, all dressed up and ready to go. Heart-warming.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Naina! It is just the way it had happened :).

      Like

  35. Joe Avatar

    Happy Anniversary there. That is a real happy happy picture of a happy occasion.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Joe!

      Like

  36. Muses of the Heart Avatar

    A very happy anniversary to both of u (a belated one though) 🙂 You really summed up the anxieties, happiness and emotions of an Indian bride in a wonderful way!!! And both of you look awesome together on your wedding pic 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you so much, Muses of the Heart :).

      Like

  37. Karen Jolly Avatar

    What a beautiful post Rachna – I felt like I was right there with you. What a precious memory! My husband and I just celebrated our 32nd anniversary and we remembered all the drama of that day and the nervousness we both felt until that moment when we saw each other and suddenly everything else melted away. Love is such a calming force. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your beautiful memory!!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you for visiting, Karen, and for sharing your memories. 32 years, wow! The emotions that a bride and groom undergo are so universal! Thanks for reading!

      Like

  38. My Inner Chick Avatar

    Ahhhh, (((My Big Fat Indian Wedding.)))

    I loved every word!

    Happy Anniversary to a beautiful couple.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      hehe Thanks My Inner Chick! And welcome to my space.

      Like

  39. Priya Avatar

    Wow.. this one’s straight from the heart Rachna! Happy Anniversary to both of you and many more to come. It’s a beautiful pic.. 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Priya!

      Like

  40. BlogwatiG Avatar

    Ah, so very visual……….almost went back in time. Love this pic of the two of you. Touchwood! Stay like this forever……<3

    Happy 13th once again…………looking forward to your blogpost about the 75th one 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, my dear :)! I like the ring to that 75th one, immensely.

      Like

  41. Nischala Avatar

    That was such a lovely post, and wishing you many more years of togetherness. Stay blessed

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Nischala :).

      Like

  42. dipali Avatar

    Lovely post…wishing you many more years of togetherness 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Dipali!

      Like

  43. Disha Mishra Dubey Avatar

    Oh my my Rachna what a lovely post, straight from the heart. You wrote so well, I really felt like I was there.
    Wish you very happy wedding anniversary and many more years of togetherness.

    Like

  44. Rachna Avatar

    Thanks so much, Disha!

    Like

  45. Esha Avatar

    That was a lovely read and I could so relate to this post.. congratulations

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Esha!

      Like

  46. sahana Avatar

    You look happy! Congrats!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Sahana. I was!

      Like

  47. Amruta Avatar

    Aw! Such a beautiful post…made me kinda nostalgic! Keep writing!!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Amruta!

      Like

  48. indu chhibber Avatar

    You have described so well how a girl feels at the time of her wedding and the snap is just lovely.My heart-felt greetings to both of you-shine and twinkle!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Indu! Always lovely to have your warm comments.

      Like

  49. TheMomViews Avatar

    If I didn’t know I could have sworn that you were talking about my wedding. The same gamut of emotions- nervousness, anxiety about what the future holds, feeling disconnected with the jewelry and the clothes and eyes searching for the one. And clarity dawns when you spot those twinkling eyes and that half smile which won you over so many years ago. Happy Anniversary Rachna (Belated but full of love) 😀

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you so much, Swapna :). How amazing is it that we felt the same emotions. Thanks for reading!

      Like

  50. Ashwini C N Avatar

    More than the make up, this smile is what makes you look gorgeous :-). A heart felt smile. Many more wishes 🙂 Wishing you many more years together 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Ashwini :).

      Like

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I’m Rachna

Welcome to Rachna says, my first abode on the internet where I share snippets of my mundane life, as I navigate empty nest with my husband. You can also get my recipes at my food blog, Rachna cooks.

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