You & Me

Today, I sit and think as to what to write on our 7th anniversary....
But I just can't seem to write...
So, I tell myself, that our love has reached beyond words...
Or how else would you have bought me that gift
from the very store I was thinking of getting you, your gift....
We have reached a stage, where our love has gone beyond the words...'I love you'

But still, I would not stop saying them, as long as you have me around...

Loved you once...
Love you still...
Always have...
Always will....

Happy anniversary to us!!!

Senti mom - Senti daughter!!!

Yesterday, we were watching a movie in one of the TV channels. Actually hubby was watching it and me and the kids were standing before the TV because, the movie was about to end and we didn't have anything else to do. It was a love story, the hero and the heroine finally united after a long drama and cry-baby acting from the heroine. I was finally relieved that the movie ended and we went to the bed-room. I took Swathi for her night-time duties, and I came out of the wash-room, to find Smruthi sobbing uncontrollably in the bed. Assured that it was not the sibling rivalry and Swathi was not the cause this time, I panicked to see her crying like this. It took me almost 5 minutes to soothe her, and make her tell the reason, which was: "The aunty in the TV was so paavam, that she had to cry like this. Seeing her cry like that has upset me very much. I feel so sorry for her".*

So many times, I have cried in the house because of these two girls, and all she did was to find pleasure in seeing me cry, and today she could not control her emotions, because some stupid heroine was struggling to re-unite with her lover. Bah!

All the while, I could not resist thinking how my daughter was growing up to be very much like me. There was not a single love story which I have seen during my college days and not cried in the end. Another emotional, senti-menti in the family? No darling, as your father says, one of me is enough! You needn't inherit me in this trait.

* Her actual words were: Andha aunty eppadi azhudha! Adha paathu enakku manasukke romba kashtama irukku! Romba paavam avanga!"

Vacations 2012

May 2012 for us began with a vacation to Shimla-Kulu_Manali and it served as the most wanted break for me. The destination was finalized after a long debate between me, him, my friend and his friends. After lots of discussions on Bandipur, Ooty, Andaman Islands and Thailand, Shimla was finally destined to be our vacation spot this year.

The place was decided and the package was booked about a week before and the tickets were confirmed only in the last minute. To add to the confusion, it was Smruthi's school annual day on Saturday, Swathi had still not recovered completely from fever, my pending visa appointment, and we had to leave on Sunday. That gave me only one day to attend her school function, shop, pack and leave. I was still not confident of the trip until I actually boarded and the train started from the platform. But, yes, we made it, and gave a huge sigh of relief! Shimla - here we come! We were a gang of three couples and three kids,

and this added to the fun. The two days train journey to Delhi was nice, bringing back old memories of childhood travel, when my mom used to pack chappathi, puliogare and curd rice for the entire train journey. But, again, those were the days. The little girls thoroughly enjoyed the upper berths and was climbing up and down the berths. Finally Delhi arrived and we boarded the tempo traveller waiting for us in the station. The first thing I noticed on entering the cab was the photo of shirdi sai and I knew all was going to be well!

Day 1 - Travel from Delhi to Shimla. It was a loooonng journey and we reached shimla around 8 in the evening. The climate was a bit chilly, but cold enough to make Swathi's teeth chatter. Wrapped them in jackets, had dinner and slept.

Day 2 - Woke up to see the hilly tops and monkey-crowded neighbourhood. Started to photo-shoot my friends, while the rest of the family was still snoring. Later, had breakfast and we all left for Kufri, where the only means of transport to reach the hill-top was through ponies. The kids were excited about the idea of travelling on ponies (horses, to them) and were fighting over the colors of the horse on which each one would travel. The respective fathers, admired by their kids' bravery went ahead and collected tickets for the entire gang. When it was time to actually climb the ponies, all the three girls (mine two and the friend's daughter) screamed like hell, climbed onto me and stuck to me like glue. They completely refused and were in complete shock. Not wanting to force them, I decided to stay back and take care of the kids and the rest of the gang went ahead. So, this gave me time to take pictures of the kids like crazy.

Smruthi actually felt bad on making me stay back, that she asked me about a hundred times, if I actually wanted to ride in the pony. When I replied in the positive, she said that its ok for me not to go, and that I could ride a horse when she reached X std. No idea on why specifically X std. The pony-ride had actually turned out to be too adventurous, and the gang told me that the kids could not have made it, even if they had come. So, that was one relief. Went to the local market place in the evening, and did some 'light shopping' in the evening.

Day 3 - Pack the bags and drive to Manali from Shimla via Kullu. Went for white-water rafting in Kullu. After the previous day's experiences, the kids had decided that whatever we take them to, would be scary. So, the moment we got down in the river-bank, Swathi started pleading, 'Amma, please let's not go in the water...please....please...please..."

But persuaded her in letting me go for the rafting. While hubby took care of the kids for the first half of the journey, I enjoyed the rafting and he went in the second half. The guide was kind enough to take the kids for boating in the shallow places of the river near the end-point. Later, went for shopping and bought winter jackets and accessories for the kids. Tired by the time we reached hotel. Refreshed, and all the three families got together for chit-chat, had dinner and slept.

Day 4 - Rohtang Pass. Got up very early and reached the snow point. It was terribly cold and the climate was too much for the kids to handle. Though one half of them wanted to enjoy the snow, they could not bear the climate, and Swathi was literally chattering with her hands and legs all frozen inspite of all the gloves and jackets. Had to take her inside one of the tea stalls there and warmed her by making her sit near the gas stove. After the warm-up, both the girls had the time of their life, by playing in the snow and sledging. And what more, they even let me go skating in the snow.

Me and Sri dressed in the traditional Manali outfits and took snaps in the snow. The girls sort of made up for not letting me ride the pony the other day. Enjoy and let them enjoy policy. The second half of the day, we spent in Solang Valley - with Smruthi doing para-gliding, Swathi - horse-riding, the rope-car, bungee jumping. When given a choice between para-gliding and horse-riding, Smruthi chose to fly rather than get near the horse. With so much fun, the kids refused to get into the cab, inspite of the cold weather in the evening. After lot of persuasion, they got into the cab, and dozed off the next moment.

Day 5 - The D-Day. It was Swathi's birthday. The day began very late, with each set of grand-parents calling to wish and waking us up. The day went with the sister's bonding growing stronger with every passing minute. The day was full of ‘akka akka…’s and ‘ennada chellams’. We visited Hadimba Devi temple. The kids also tried bungee-jumping, and they enjoyed it.

Then, dressed the kids in the Manali outfits. Suited them well too. Next, we visited club-house, which had more of kids games. We then tried the rope-crossing or river-crossing, which was very thrilling. I tried it twice and it was all very exciting. All the while, the kids left us to ourselves, and took care of themselves, very well. When I was done with all the games, Swathi slept over. We reached the hotel in the evening, and went for dinner, to celebrate the darling’s birthday.

Day 6 – Travel from Manali to Chandigarh. Nothing much to do, except travel, travel and travel. Fully exhausted and reached Chnadigarh around 11 in the evening.

Day 7 – Packed the bags early and left for Delhi from Chandigarh. Reached Delhi around 2 PM only to realize that the return tickets were not confirmed yet. Cancelled the tickets and extended the trip for one more day – Delhi site-seeing. Did some wonderful shopping, all for myself in the Delhi markets.

Day 8 – Delhi site-seeing – Visited Red Fort, India Gate, and Lotus Temple, in the burning, scorching sun. The climate in Delhi was the extreme opposite of what we were enjoying for the past one week. We couldn’t bear to do any more site-seeing, and went direct to Delhi airport. Boarded the flights and reached Chennai.

Day 9 – Back to office while the kids blissfully snored in bed up to 9 in the morning. Back to the pavilion. End of story!!!

All in all, the trip was awesome and one of the best vacations we ever had. Hubby darling, thanks for finally giving me the vacation.

I nearly thought you would not make it. But, thank god, you made it. God saved you from me. And the best part of the trip was that the kids gave us some our-time for me and him, and at the same time, they enjoyed their full best. As long as they had chocolates and Lays to survive on, all was well. This trip was so good, that, Sri has decided that we should have two such vacations every year – one during the summer holidays with the kids and the other one in September, only for the anniversary couples – minus the kids. Though I have not yet agreed on the ‘minus kids’ part, two vacations per year indeed sounds good. Looking forward to September!!!

05 May 2012

To my lovable Swathi,

You are turning three today, and you know what, we are celebrating your birthday this year in Kulu-Manali, and you are having the time of your life here. Hope we get to celebrate your every birthday with a vacation.

As your third birthday is over, do I even get a chance to hope that your terrible twos are over? Will your fights with your sister reduce? Do you even intend to become a better girl from now? Well, I can only hope. But, trust me, life is never dull as long as you are around. You are the naughtiest, crankiest brat in the family.

You always want to compete with your sister for anything and everything that she is doing, she is having, she is saying, she is eating...WHAT EVER!!!! You strictly follow your policy - 'What is mine is mine and what is yours is also mine!', and you never give up. If you want, 'if and only if you want', you can be the loveliest little sister to have. Such a cute little bunny, you can be, that you can make Smruthi, do anything and everything for you, right from sharing her favorite Barbie doll, to brushing you, feeding you, playing, combing, anything. During one incident, when I was shouting at you, your sister had the nerve to advise me not to scold you. "Why are shouting at her like this? What does she know? My thangai is soooo paavam". She had the nerve to advise me this and all gyaan was easily forgotten in the next 15 minutes, when you took her notes without her permission and all togetherness was lost, and life was back to usual. But, all these daring and fighting is only with your sister, or at the max, within your family circle. The moment you step inside a social group, you become very shy and reserved. You are that 'veetla puli, velila eli' (Tiger in home, but a rat outside.)

This year, all of a sudden, you have become very matured. I'm not talking in terms of your naughty little incidents, that stays as good as ever. What I meant, is you are not emotional, (unlike me and your sister) very practical, and you are very clear in what you want. One fine day, you woke up in the morning and asked me in the bed, with your usual sweet, little innocent face, if I would get you a Dora cake for your birthday, and if not Dora, atleast a Barbie cake. And when I asked you, whom would you give the first piece of your birthday cake, you told me that you would eat it. And when I showed you a very paavam face, you justified your answer saying that since it was your birthday, you should only be having the first cake. Good logic! But, you know what you did today, you gave your first piece of cake to your sister, without anybody telling you. That's when I realized, the deep bonding between you two sisters. Love you girls. (And I'm sorry that we couldn't get Dora or Barbie cakes in Manali. But you were happy with the flower cake we got you)

You have started your school and you are completely in love with it. You want to go to school even on holidays, and you refuse to accept, if I say that you don't have school. You think that I am cheating by not sending you to school, but I alone leave for office. Darling, we don't get summer vacations in office dear. But, how I wish!

One thing, which is so addictive about you is that thiruttu-muzhi which you give, when you do some mischief and I catch you red-handed. You silently give that naughty look, with a smile and get behind your paati, or whoever is nearby. You can easily impress others with that smile of yours. And when you give that look, how can I shout at you?

Even when you emptied my entire stock of fair & lovely, coconut oil, face-wash, face-powder, body lotion baby powder and not to forget that vicks and amrutanjan, all into a single small powder box and stirring the potion with your sister's pencil. You made the entire floor oily with that potion of yours, and you easily got away with that single smile.

All said and done, we don't really want you to be silent and well-behaved. Last month, when you were down with high fever, there was a 30-minute period when you couldn't even speak. You were sitting just like that staring and not doing anything. A dose of crocin and you showed your true-self again, even though you still had temperature. But, that 30-minute silence of yours was the real hell. Not your mischiefs. We are so addicted to your screams and shouts, that the house, looks so bland if you are not in. What's life without your mischief? Keep mischieving dear. We can't seem to live without it. Love you darling. Now and always.

Your mom & dad.

A Cure for Discontentment in Relationships

I read this article from a website. Worth sharing...

This little story can help us manage the fault-finding and discontented tendencies that sometimes arise in our relationships...

After the wedding ceremony, the father of the bride took his son-in-law aside to offer some advice on how to have a long and happy married life.

"So do you love my daughter a lot?" he asked the young man.

"Oh yes! I love her more than my own life," the young man sighed.

"And you probably think that she is the most wonderful person in the world?" the old man continued.

"She is perfect. She is completely amazing in each and every way," the young man cooed.

"That’s how it is when you get married," said the father. "But after a few years, you will begin to see the flaws in my daughter. When you begin to notice her flaws, I want you to remember this son-in-law...

”If she didn't have those flaws to begin with, she would have married someone much better than you!"

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Three important lessons I got from this story:

1) Be grateful for the faults of your partner
When we are in love it can seem like the other person is perfect. This perception is usually short-lived. True love lies in being deeply grateful for the faults of our partner. Why? Because if they did not have those faults they would be with someone much better than us right now!

2) What we appreciate, appreciates
When we observe and appreciate the good qualities of our partner, those good qualities increase. When we observe and criticize their weaknesses, those qualities increase. The way forward is to convey our needs without judgment and then to notice and praise every small effort made by the other to change and improve.

3) Be the best possible version of yourself
If we want the best kind of partner, we have to make an effort to be the best possible version of ourself. The way to the heart lies in by supporting and empowering each other, never by complaining about each other!

Courtesy: http://www.nithyashanti.com/cms/content/A-Cure-for-Discontentment-in-Relationships

CSAAM April 2012 - A better world for tomorrow

I have been wanting to participate in the Child Sexual Awareness Program, (CSA) ever since this started. Unfortunately, I have been only a silent spectator following the program, but never really having the guts to pour out, what I have been through. The saddest realization has been that almost all the women, have undergone this trauma - some minor and most very cruel, either as a child or in their teens - at an age so early, when you don't even understand what's going on. In fact, I believe there can't even be a minor or major classification to this issue.

The senseless brushes in the public transports, the vulgar taunts, the supposed-to-be-unintentional 'that' touch by people in the 'known-circle', flaunting their private possessions - yes, been there...suffered those... Now, all those seem to have happened in the long past, but the scars remain for life. When these rogues can easily get away with such intolerable acts, the incidents are etched in the memories forever as dark spots. There were periods, when I couldn't sleep, felt irritated, shouted at everybody, hated to come out of my room, unable to tell this to anybody. It took me long to come back to my routine. All the while, my parents remained blissfully unaware of the reason for my mood swings. Even today, after all these years, a related flash news in TV, an article or a movie scene is all it takes to bring those memories back. Till date, there isn't a soul with whom I have shared these with. Not my parents, not my sisters, not my friends, not my hubby - not a single person. The main reason being the feeling of shame, yes, I felt ashamed, then for all the obvious reasons. And I am still ashamed for feeling guilty for no reason of mine, shameful for not having the nerve to give those rogues back, not having the courage to tell my parents, feeling afraid of what others might think of me. I hated the feeling of being powerless, helpless.

The courage to pen these down, has come now, because shame is overcome, by a strong feeling of fear. Fear of the future for my daughters. What kind of a world am I getting my little girls into? Do they have to go through these like all the others? How am I going to protect them? How do I teach them about good touch and bad touch? And above all, how do I ensure that my girls trust me enough to come and report such incidents (God forbid!) It pains me to realize, that we need to make the kids aware of such things at such a tender age, when all they need to worry is only about chocolates and pencils. But there is no denial that this ought to be done. We have to educate them about these sensitive issues. CSA is such an unpardonable act, and the fact that this is not much spoken about doesn't help either. Thanks to the CSA Awareness blog. It's high time we speak out. We need to speak for the sake of our kids - and all the kids, for that matter. We need to make this world a better place for our children!

Jesus!
Come back and save the world
That's all the future
Of every boy and girl
Come back as Rama
Forgive us for what we've done
Come back as Allah
Come back as anyone!

MY school saga begins too.....

This is to declare that I, Swathi Srikantan, has successfully graduated from playschool and started my kinder garden from today. Yeah, you guessed it right, the same school my sis goes to! So, how can I not post about it, especially after my elder sister has done so already here. How can I NOT do something, which she has done? What is the liberty of being the last in the family, if I don't compete?

The school was hmmm.....not bad. One thing (or one of the things...) which my mom dreaded was to make me wear uniforms. I hate uniforms. I hate them....I hate them...I hate them....I HATE them! If everybody is supposed to be uniform, then where is my individuality? The only reason I don't fuss about wearing uniforms for this school is that they are my sister's! (The school is yet to receive stocks on the new uniforms of my size). The pleasure I get in wearing anything of hers - wow! I just love to irritate her like this. I simply cannot sleep, if there's not a single moment when I have not irritated her. Not that I don't like her, but just for the thrill of it.

So, left for the school, and my mom was again all emotional, or so, I believe, in sending me. More than being emotional, she was more worried about my behaviour. I knew it. I could sense it. You should have seen her showering me advises all the way to school. I didn't even bother, though my sister was vouching for my behaviour, and responding her. "Amma, don't worry, Swathi kutty will be a good girl. I will take care" and blah blah blah. Swathi 'kutty'?? I shall get her for this! Anyways, after all the lecture, I was more than happy to reach the school.

I really didn't understand why all the other kids were making so much fuss, and crying about the school environment. Infact it was not even hot. They had air-conditioned my classroom, this year! I was so calm, and didn't cry the whole one hour I was there. (Though, I nearly would have, in another few minutes.) Now, if my mom knows that I am writing this, she would ask me the same question, because, I cried my lungs out during my playschool graduation party last week. It was all her fault, making me wear that stupid ice-cream costume, in this scorching sun, and asking me to dance on stage. Not that, I am not capable of performing on stage, but, how can I dance, when I am sweating so much from top to bottom in that jigu-jigu costume? My heads covered with the ice-cream, my hands closed in gloves, and knee-length boots? Moreover, why give her the satisfaction of doing something, which she wants me to do. Never! This again irritated her very much, and my poor dad had to bear the full brunt of it. Anyways, mission accomplished that day! Ok, where were we? Oh yeah - my new school!












So, its going good...If my parents are going to expect me to come out with flying colors like my sister, they would be wrong. And if they think that I shall not shine, that would also be wrong. They know pretty well, if I do something, it will be my own will and wish. The very few times, I listen to my parents, they feel proud of themselves for making me listen to them, huh! Poor them! Little do they understand, that in such cases, I listen to them not because they want me to do so, but because I want to do so.

Wait, a minute....Its been a long time, since I saw my sister around...seems like she is doing something in peace. Its high time I leave now. Gotta disturb her from whatever she is doing! See you all later. Bye.

- Swathi

PS: For the records, I started my school on 11 April 2012. So, if you catch my mom posting this blog on a later date, this is the chance to blame her for not being affectionate enough towards me to post it on time.

PPS: Darling Swathi, now that you have said all you wanted to, I sincerely apologize for not posting this blog on time, but trust me, I have been genuinely busy in my office. This does NOT mean that (as your dad says) I am more partial to your sister. You are equally special to me, and don't you let your dad's comments come between our love. Happy schooling dear!

Why this kolaveri?

Yesterday afternoon, both my daughters were playing and humming something, forming their own words, and singing, which no-one can understand. Since I never learn to keep my mouth shut, this is what happened...

Me: Darlings, instead of these la-la-la songs, why can't you both sing something, which mummy can understand?
Swathi: Why this kolaveri-kolaveri-kolaveri- diiiiiiiiii??? Why this kolaveri-kolaveri-kolaveri- diiiiiiiiii???
Smruthi: pa-pa-pa-poin.....pa-pa-pa-poin....pa-pa-a-paaa-pa-pa-pooiiiinnnnnnnnn
Sri: laughs and gives me a idhu-unakku-thevaya look!!!!

Idhhu-enakku-thevayaa????

Murphy's Law is....

When your brutally adamant, intolerably cranky almost-three year old, wakes up without any fuss, does whatever you expect, wears the most-disliked frock without any tantrums, finishes her breakfast within a span of 10 minutes, arrives in the play-school half-an hour before the usual time....and....

THE SCHOOL IS DECLARED A HOLIDAY DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!

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When your five year old messes with your android smart phone, and suddenly you find all your desktop icons missing, including the call logs, you struggle for 10 minutes to restore them back, without any luck, shout at her, warn her, lecture her as to how difficult you are finding to restore your phone to the usual state, and she replies promptly, "Who told you to struggle? If you had told me, I would have fixed it up for you!!!" and she DOES fix it up!!! And worse, within two minutes!!!!

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Happy women's day

The below wishes was sent to me by one of my colleague and best friend. I'm glad that someone has felt about me this way. Dear A, you made my day. Thanks!



Happy women's day to all the great women out there!

27:02:2012

Dear Smruthi,

Its your birthday again, and you are turning five today. The past year has really been a roller-coaster ride with you. You have been the lovable princess most of the time, and in your crankiest best, for the rest of the time, literally driving me mad. There have been times when you have been so cuddly, utterly-butterly lovable, and I couldn't have enough of you, and the other times, I just felt like running away. May be they were your mood swings, as you were growing from a kid to a girl.

You are learning sentiments, and you are becoming an emotional idiot, just like me. Not that I am particularly happy about this trait of yours. This year, the fights between you and me reached an all time high, which is more than the fights between you and your sister. The only time, you listen to me is when I say that I won’t talk to you anymore, and you just can’t stand that. I don’t mean what I am saying darling. I’m just using it as a bait (or blackmail as your father would call it) to make you listen to me. And this doesn’t really work, if you know that this is intentional. You just say ‘paesalaina…po’ and carry on with your work. Now, what am I supposed to do with you? I am growing with you as a mother. Once, during our regular fights, when it was going beyond limits, and I whacked you, (as usual), do you know what you said? “It is only after Swathi came, that you are beating me, so much. Before that you were so affectionate to me.” Until then, I never realized the mistake I have been doing. And I have changed ever since. Not that I have stopped fighting with you, but I have started fighting with your sister as well. And you are happy with that! Now, you are using this dialogue to blackmail me, and your father doesn’t seem to care about that! So, just for the records, we are both even now.

You are a wonderful orator. You like to give the opening speech, or the introduction message for most of your school programs. And coming to your language – you talk English, you walk English, and eat English. You have learnt to understand and respond back in English. We can never realize what you’ll say and when. The other day, in front of the whole house, you said something similar to ‘I know what you did last summer’, leaving me embarrassed. So, this leaves me and your dad with no choice, but to switch to hindi, when we want to talk something, without your understanding. You are becoming a story-maniac. You can’t have enough of the “Snowwhite’ and ‘Beauty & the Beast’. You want to watch the CDs when you are awake, and want to hear those stories, when you go to sleep. You have given up Cindrella, only because, your sister takes the pride of breaking that CD.

You are becoming more of a girl, from the kid, I saw you first. This is evident from the fact, that you love make-ups. You are becoming more beauty-conscious. If I say, that using the kadala maavu will make your skin glow, or applying egg-yoke will make your hair more silky, you are more than happy, to do those. Just hope that you make your dad spend more for your cosmetics, which he refuses to do for me!


You and Swathi! Oh! Where do I begin and how do I end? Whatever has happened to sister affections and girly gossips! Perhaps the word – ‘sibling rivalry’ was coined for you both. Both of you fight as if you were arch rivals, which goes to the extent of making me worry, rather than shout. Inspite of that, if either you or your sister, step out of the house, without the other, you miss her. And you still refuse to exchange her with the tiny-baby girl from the opposite house. (Of whom you are so fond of!)

This year, you have given up the bad habit of stuffing your mouth while sleeping, and have also started drinking milk by the cup. Great! There’s a lot more darling. Looking back makes me realize, how much and how fast you are growing. I want you to stop growing, so that I can cherish you in the same stage, again and again. I want you to grow faster, that I can’t wait to see what you are about to become next.

Anyways, Happy Birthday Darling!!!

Your birthday is a special day, to celebrate the gift of ‘you’ to us.

With loads of love and kisses,
Your mom & dad

Competitions & Competitors

Yesterday night, as usual, I am honking as I am nearing my house. And as usual, my daughters come and open the doors.

On entering, Smruthi thrust my hands with a certificate and a medal. Madam has won the first prize for a TN State-level coloring competition, which was conducted in her school: I-know-not-when. I had no clue that she has even participated in such a competition. (I know, I deserve all the praises for being a working mom.) I feel proud of my daughter, and hug her.

Immediately, out of nowhere, Swathi, grabs all the invitations, telephone bills and whatever she could find in the size of a certificate, and comes running to me, and shows: "Amma, paaru....Miss enakkum prize koduthaaa.....". I laugh at my daughter's act. And Smruthi was mature enough NOT to point out that her sister was wrong.

Do I call this innocence? Smartness? Shrewdness? Jealousy?

Whatever! I am smiling! And I am happy about my kids!

There is only one beautiful child in this world, and every mom has it.
I have two!!!!! :)

Unakkul paarkava...Ulladhai sollava?

The other day, you, my dear hubby, asked me as to what I know about you and what I have understood about you in these almost 7 years....and this post has been pending in my draft section, ever since that day! And, finally it's seeing daylight today! So, here's the list.

- You are short-tempered (even though my mom doesn't admit it)
- You are patient enough to handle me, when I am in my worst moods.
- You handle pressure situations very calmly.
- You don't get tensed even if whole hell breaks loose. You are interested only in the paper and TV.
- You like to tell Swathi, that I love her sister more, and you intend to do that even after they grow up!
- You love to irritate me!
- You always like to pull Kicha's leg, and this irritates me further!
- You like to show off your love for me, in front of your friends. (I'm not sure, if it's the effect of your friends, but I like it, nevertheless)
- You, like a kid, become irritated, if you are hungry.
- Even though, you are not the typical romantic types, you have all it takes to be a wonderful and caring husband. The other day, when my car's rear view mirror broke, because of an auto, and I called you on the spot, the first question you asked was, 'What happened to you?', and not 'What happened to the car?'. Do you know, how much that meant to me? (Though God knows, what would have happened to you, if you had asked the second question, first)
- You love our daughters, more than you love me....(or is it as much as you love me?) I'm jealous!!!
- You take pride, when they achieve something in their schools.
- You claim that they are your girls, when they are good, and that they are mine, when they are cranky. You look utterly childish, when you say these.
- You are not a mother's boy. In case of arguments, you neither talk in favor of me, nor your mom. You only support whoever is right, be it me or your mom. You are balanced.
- You like to help others in need. You don't think twice.
- You like vacations.
- You are a typical businessman!
- You like organizing functions.
- You, just like me, like to watch our marriage photos and CDs, over and over, again and again.
- YOU LOVE ME. (Poor me, I have to say this as well.)

And there are many more in the list. But they are only for you, and not for this post. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Come, let's fall in love....all over again!!!