Reflections

On Jan 15, my husband and I will be celebrating our anniversary, and I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on our journey we embarked on together 22 years ago. ?This milestone feels like the perfect time to look back with gratitude and forward with excitement for all that’s yet to come.

I still vividly recall the day I arrived in America—March 17, 2003, two months after we got married. My husband was there at Logan Airport to welcome me. At the time, he was a student sharing an apartment with friends, but just before my arrival, he rented a small studio apartment for us. It was a modest 325-square-foot basement apartment, and we paid $735 in monthly rent while my husband's scholarship provided about $1,200 each month — just enough for us to get by. We lived simply, but it was all we needed to survive and start building our life together.

We had nothing in terms of furniture—not even a bed / mattress or a TV. Thankfully, one of our relatives took us to Target to buy some essentials. Later, in May 2003, my brother-in-law and his wife visited us, bringing a few more items, including a small TV. We may have started with very little, but our happiness came from simply being together. I hold dear the memories of our evening walks along the nearby beach and to Dunkin Donuts for a shared cup of coffee.

I still remember those freezing cold days when we had to carry groceries by hand, trudging through the chill because we didn’t have a car for the first two years. Despite the cold and the weight, those moments stand out as simple reminders of how we supported each other, finding warmth in our togetherness. Our circumstances began to shift when my husband started working in 2005, and I followed suit in 2007. Between 2005 and 2009, we traveled extensively, and time seemed to fly. Naisha, was born in 2010, filling our lives with joy and transforming us in ways we never imagined. Her presence brought a new sense of purpose and happiness, marking the beginning of our journey as parents. ?

My husband launched his business in 2012 while maintaining his full-time job, and around that same period, I became increasingly ambitious, juggling my job, household responsibilities, and caring for our daughter. From 2012 to 2018, we both essentially held two full-time jobs, with years filled with both joy and challenges.

In 2018, my husband left his job to fully commit to his business. Myra was born in March 2019, bringing new joy and completing our little family. Her arrival marked a beautiful new chapter in our lives, filled with the promise of love, laughter, and shared adventures ahead. By the end of 2019, life seemed to be falling into place. But early 2020 brought unforeseen challenges. A management change at work placed me in a toxic environment that severely impacted my mental health. The entire year felt like a struggle between fight and flight, putting me in a deep depression by year's end. Throughout 2021, my health deteriorated, leading to extended hospital stays. . I began to recover in 2022, and by the end of 2023, I had fully healed. It was a gradual process, filled with ups and downs, but each step brought me closer to regaining my strength and sense of self. Looking back, I am grateful for the resilience I found within me and the support that my husband provided me during those challenging times. I certainly could not have done it without him by my side. ?These days, I happily support and work alongside my husband. It feels fulfilling to be a part of his ventures, contributing to our shared dreams and watching them grow.

I am profoundly grateful for the time I took off to recover, as it offered me a priceless opportunity to rediscover myself. In those moments of stillness and introspection, I gained a deeper sense of self-awareness and wisdom that I might never have found otherwise. It was a journey inward, a chance to understand who I truly am, and to emerge stronger and more enlightened.

Looking back, it's clear that the tough times were the ones that truly defined us. They taught us that marriage isn’t just about sharing the good moments—it’s about standing by each other when life gets difficult. Those challenging years have shaped us as better human beings, deepening our love and understanding, and taking our relationship to a new level of strength and resilience.

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