love letter

Dear Me,

Aren’t you happy getting a love letter? Let me first begin by wishing you a very Happy 40th birthday. I know that age is just a number and the thought of being over the hill has crossed your mind a few times :). Ah well, but you know what, I know you wouldn’t trade a single experience in your life to be younger again. You are comfortable, secure and happy with the choices you’ve made these last years. I know your conscience rests easy. I know you are happy with the life you’ve lived, the dreams you’ve realized, the love you’ve shared and the happiness you’ve created and been a part of.

From that rugged birthmark on your thumb to your knobbly fingers, I love every bit of you. Do you remember how much you laughed and then cried while you were watching the baby videos of your sons despite not being a person who tears up easily? You love deeply and passionately. You do get mad when rubbed the wrong way, but well you are human. You set high standards for your own self. From supporting a cause to protecting an animal, you do what your heart tells you is correct.

What I admire most about you is how you bend over backwards for what you truly believe in. You reach out to people, checking on them, truly caring for their wellbeing. You will stay up late to help someone in need. Hey, you will sometimes protect the kiddos from daddy’s ire and vice versa :). You love a good conversation and can be preachy as well (the family will concur!). But, then you have never felt apologetic for your values or morals.

I love how you have acquired so many fascinating dimensions over the years. From an impulsive, opinionated, academic girl to a confident, well-read, empathetic woman, you’ve come a long way. You are calmer, open to knowledge and change and that keeps you evolving as a person. Always stay this way.

You’ve lived life on your own terms. A lot of it was because of this great stroke of luck as you were blessed with amazing parents who helped you fly. It is not to say that you did not suffer hardships while growing up. Nevertheless, you made the best of the freedom, values and the opportunities that came your way. Losing your mother was very hard on you. I know even after so many years, you yearn for her presence. But you’ve remembered to keep her ideals and passions alive. For you, family is paramount.

You have chosen well when you found a life partner. Through you, I’ve noticed that there is a “leap of faith” that one has to take when one gets into a committed relationship. And you’ve done that with complete honesty. You work hard at your relationships trusting the people behind them, accepting their flaws and working on your own because you need that and they need that. You are no saint, but you have tried to be good and right.

You have also worked hard to respect and cherish your body. The same body that made you breeze through two pregnancies and allowed you to bounce back into shape. You are today happy with the few wrinkles, a little extra flab and some dark circles because you recognize how special and valuable a healthy body is. Moreover, you bestow upon it the love it deserves.

You are scared, almost petrified of disease. Having seen a lot of it around you in your early years, you are sometimes paranoid about staying healthy. You try to tone that down by meditating and doing Yoga. I love that you introspect from time to time being as unbiased as possible about your own self. It helps you stay real.

You have cultivated your interests. You’ve never hesitated in speaking your mind. You give it your all to raise wonderful children and be a good decent human being.

Yes, you are wonderful. Always remember that!

My wish for you is to stay healthy, happy and continue to live your life mindfully.

With loads of love,

Rachna

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love letter

 

62 responses to “A love letter to me!”

  1. sharmila Avatar

    Brilliant ! Love the way you love yourself 🙂 Left me wondering if I will ever be able to talk to myself aloud….I must give it a try. A good read on a beautiful Sunday morning Rachna.Enjoy your special day and stay blessed always!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Sharmila. Yep, it took some effort to pen myself a letter. I want to keep coming back to it when I feel down. You must give it a try. It feels good. Glad you read it and liked it. Thanks always for your warmth and love.

      Like

  2. Ruch Avatar

    Happy Happy Birthday Rachna. Keep shining, Keep sparkling !

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, dear girl.

      Like

  3. Shilpa Garg Avatar

    A very happy birthday to you Rachna! Loved that you are so happy and proud of who you are today, and I know that you will only get better as the years go by! Cheers ♥

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Shilpa, for your warm and comforting words and presence. ❤

      Like

  4. Sunil Avatar
    Sunil

    Lovely post. Stay, healthy and happy spreading warmth around and get younger every year.
    Regards
    Sunil

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Sunil! Give my regards to Reena and the kids.

      Like

  5. Proactive Indian Avatar

    Happy Birthday, Rachna!
    Only a person who loves herself/himself can love others.
    Great post!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Pro. Well said!

      Like

  6. vishalbheeroo Avatar

    Happy wala budday, Rachna. 40 is the new 18. Be inspirational as you are and stay beautiful. Such a beautiful post that makes the budday special:)

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Vishal. Haye, I don’t want to be 18 again. 😉

      Like

  7. janu Avatar
    janu

    We all need this reaffirmation every time. Love the way you love yourself. Cherish and honour yourself for the years to come, Rachna. Live life queen size.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      I agree, Janu. Thanks for all the lovely words here and otherwise.

      Like

  8. Ashwini CN Avatar

    Absolutely loved the theme of this post. Yes, being nice to oneself, loving oneself and taking care of oneself is really very important. Only if we are happy and at peace with ourselves can we make our environments lovable.

    And more important than that is to be content for the time spent by with as few regrets as possible.

    Happy Birthday 🙂 Here’s wishing you very many more.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Ashwini. Yes, I believe that self-investment does reap rich dividends.

      Like

  9. Rahul Avatar
    Rahul

    That was a lovely post Rachna! May you earn many more accolades as you add years:)

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Rahul. Appreciate your wishes.

      Like

  10. nabanita Avatar

    A very happy 40th birthday again Rachna 🙂 This was such a honest letter and something that is so you….Wish you a great life ahead!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Naba, for the lovely wishes. 🙂

      Like

  11. Deepika Avatar

    Happy Birthday Rachna 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Deepika!

      Like

  12. Destiny's child Avatar

    Rachna! Happy birthday to you, may you have many more and stay blessed!
    You are a wonderful person and there are a few things I would like to add to your letter – you are a good writer and a person with a good heart. How do I know? I know you only through your writing and there is a certain honesty in it that makes you endearing. Wishing you many, many, more happy, healthy and peaceful birthdays with your wonderful family. 🙂

    I have been really busy with my wedding preps, studies and job and I have missed out on a lot on your space. I’ll chun chun ke catch up once I am free. Happy birthday once again Rachna. Beautiful letter to the self! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Every time you leave a comment, I am thrilled, DC. Thank you for your warm and encouraging presence and for your thoughtful and lovely words. I do cherish them. I am glad to have found you in the blog world. Some day, we will meet too. Wish you all the best for your wedding and your life. I’ll look forward to chun chun ke bit. 😉

      Like

  13. Beloo Mehra Avatar

    This was a fantastic post for your special birthday! Hope you had a great day, celebrating the entry into the club of “wise ones”. Or is it the “naughty ones”? 🙂 Same difference, I suppose! Here is wishing you a happy, healthy and long life, dear Rachna. Keep spreading love and happiness around.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      I hope a mixture of both, Beloo. 😉 Thanks for the beautiful wishes and for your thoughtful insights.

      Like

  14. purbaray Avatar

    Mwah, baby! I am glad I read this post. You everything that you’ve mentioned in this post. I shall always remember how you reached out to me and have always cared for my well-being, even though we’ve yet to meet.

    You, my dear are a superstar!

    I hope we will now that I’m back in Swadesh 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      It makes me all warm and fuzzy after reading your comment, Purba. Thanks always for your warmth and love. I feel blessed! I look forward to meeting you as well, hopefully soon.

      Like

  15. Alok Vats Avatar
    Alok Vats

    It’s true that you are wonderful, and it is a really good thing to get such love letter 🙂 I too wish that you should stay healthy, happy and continue to live the life the way you are doing so far 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Alok. 🙂

      Like

  16. b k chowla Avatar

    Happy birthday.
    Before one starts to love others,it is important for one to love oneself

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Chowlaji. You are absolutely right.

      Like

  17. UmaS Avatar

    A very happy bday to you Rachna 🙂
    Stay happy, loving, caring and beautiful from inside always !! ((Hugs))

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Uma, for all the lovely wishes. Hugs back!

      Like

  18. alkagurha Avatar

    What a lovely letter. You sound like me in many ways. We celebrated your 40th in Delhi and believe me, you were present in spirit. Health and happiness always!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Alka. It is no wonder that I have always felt a close connect with you. Yes, we are alike in so many ways. And I am glad that it is so. You people were having so much fun. I wish I could have been there as well. Thanks for your warmth and love always.

      Like

  19. Rekha Avatar

    Once again wishing you on this milestone birthday. I really loved the contents of the letter. It definitely is important to love yourself and keep yourself healthy and happy. The reasons are visible through the smiles of your loved ones. Beautiful present you chose for yourself Rachna! 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Rekha. 🙂 I wanted to really sit down and write the things I like about myself. It will be a letter I will keep coming back to.

      Like

  20. indu chhibber Avatar

    Very eloquent piece for a very talented gal :),written beautifully.It is a lesson for me to remember my good points.

    My wish for you is the same one, as your own.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Indu. Appreciation from you always elates me.

      Like

  21. Sid Avatar

    A beautiful and honest letter to yourself – what better a birthday present can one ask for? Hope you had a brilliant one, Rachna. And yes, please remain the same. You are a good friend and an honest and lovely person.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Sid! Yes, the birthday was beautiful. I completely loved all the love that poured on me. 🙂 Thank your for your beautiful words both here and in the message. I will remember them and cherish them. Thanks again.

      Like

  22. Found In Folsom Avatar

    I have read this that day itself, but you know I don’t comment from cell. And later totally forgot about it. I remembered suddenly and came back here 🙂 A wonderful self tribute. I like how confident you are about yourself always. May you celebrate many more happy, healthy birthdays in the years to come. Thank you for being there, all the time.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks a lot, Latha. You are very special to me.

      Like

    1. Rachna Avatar
  23. The Fool Avatar

    And yeah, belated birtdhay greetings. Forgot to wish you on b’day due to erratic schedule.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      I understand completely. Thanks a lot!

      Like

  24. C. Suresh Avatar

    Belated Birthday wishes Rachna and you know WHY they are belated 🙂 The starting point to loving the world IS loving your own self 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Suresh. I agree. 🙂

      Like

  25. iliana Avatar

    For some reason I always thought I’m at least a few years older than you – so young looking you are! 🙂 What’s also funny is that I was in the process of writing something similar for my blog. But I really love the format you’ve chosen! Very fresh! As for your personality… you already know I feel lucky to have you as a friend 🙂

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Such a sweet thing to say about the age bit. I’ve heard the same compliment from others and to tell you the truth it gives me a kick. 😉 I would love to read a similar letter addressed to yourself. I guess when one actually sits down and analyses oneself as a third person, it is a good accomplishment. I always love having you as a friend, Ili!

      Like

  26. Asha Avatar

    That’s a beautiful post Rachna !! Something we all need to do – a letter waiting to be written because we value ourselves so little and who best to remind us of our being ‘special’ than we ourselves !
    Wishing you many more glorious remembrances as you look at back at your life with the same kind of love and smiles !

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks so much, Asha. It may seem looney to some but I enjoyed writing a love letter to me. 🙂

      Like

  27. Yamini Avatar
    Yamini

    Wish you a Happy Belated Birthday! Wonderful post, I am glad that I am not the only one who feels the need to love oneself.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks Yamini!

      Like

  28. Rickie Avatar

    What a great way to acknowledge a milestone birthday! And after reading this, I can safely say that you are now officially the happiest person to have just hit the big 4-O! Most of us were weeping when we hit ours!

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thanks, Rickie! Yeah, I am a little crazy, as you must have found out by now. 😉

      Like

  29. Harsha Kamath Avatar
    Harsha Kamath

    Hi Rachna

    Wish you a happy 40th happy birthday ( Look at the plus side, I wished you too early for the 41st haha)
    Anyways- Age is just a number and no this is not told to make you feel better- This is the truth of life that life is to be enjoyed- Age No Bar- I am sure 10 years down the life you will want t punch the 40 year old rachna in the face for calling yourself ‘Over the Hill’

    I turned 36 this year and was crying and depressed for 1 week ( I don’t mind ageing at all, it is the fear of treatment I will get from society, the aunty taunts from adults etc that scared me). That is when my dad told me’ It is better to have a birthday than not be around for that’ Then I realized, what the heck- Atleast I am lucky to be around at 36 , It is the perspective that matters.

    Live life to the fullest , enjoy it as much as it can- I suppose that these things like age are NOT in our hands , so there is no use worrying about it. All we can do is be happy and ALWAYS ( always and forever ) say NICE things to people .

    Maybe I am old ( or older) , but my spirit and attitude is still young and I want to spread joy and happiness to everyone whatever years I have left on this planet.

    Again- wishing you a happy birthday- Have a blast, continue to write awesome blogs, people like you are needed – we know that there is someone who thinks like us.i pray to God you live tll 100 🙂 ( with all the success and happiness and comforts)

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you, Harsha. 🙂 Oh I am in a wonderful space, didn’t feel the pinch at all of turning 40. Like I mentioned in the post, I treasure each experience that has populated this time on earth. Thank you for all the warm wishes.

      Like

  30. Shweta Chooramani Avatar

    Wish you a very happy belated happy birthday Rachna. They say people gets naughty at forty. But your letter almost filled me with pride, passion and confidence as a women, mother, wife and daughter.

    Loved reading it.

    Like

    1. Rachna Avatar

      Thank you so much, Shweta. Made me feel very happy. Thanks for the wishes too.

      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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