Dear Hubby !

Dear Hubby,

After writing dear I thought for a while whether to write friend or husband? Because you’ve played both the role very well in this one year. In fact you play many roles in my life and I appreciate all of them.  I was planning to buy a surprise gift for you since last but God has some other plans. Our cylinder got over suddenly and as you know I needed to rush home every day after work. So now I have only my words to gift you. And I am thinking of writing a letter like this every year on our anniversary. Yes, I have copied this idea from Nicholas spark’s book “Message in a bottle” and I know you’re nodding your head!  

First of all I want to thank you for accepting the “real” me. You are a strong man as you’ve to tolerate a girl/woman/lady like me for the rest of your life. I do not regret my life with you. I was princess before marriage and now I am your queen also. We will look back on this year for our smiles. The sounds of our laugh that I have collected throughout the year will Eco in my ears always.  

You stood by my side even in bad times. Precious things that you gave me in this one year are your love, care, understanding and friendship and most importantly your time. Thanks for sharing your life with me. Even though, I still don’t like eating paneer and you can’t live without taking “chap” but did you noticed that we are slowly becoming each other?

I want to write so many things but you know right know I am suffering from “Hypoglycemia” (a term learned from you in this one year) so I will have to stop here. I just want to say, “I love you” and I will never leave you. 

Happy 1^st wedding anniversary to us!!! Cheers!!! 

Love,

Wifey

A Simple Bong Wedding !

Bengali Bride And Groom
Picture Source : Google Image

"May all the divine powers together with the waters join our two hearts into one. May the messenger, the creator, holy obedience unite us." - Rig Veda x, 85, 47

I am starting a new blog post series called “A Simple Bong ( aka Bengali) Wedding” from today.  I would write about customs and traditions of Bengali marriage. All of you already know that I am getting married on 1 August 2013  so, I am learning about all the rituals from my mother and other married people. Most of the rituals are interesting as well as fun and some of them are really weird. 

Bengali weddings are not just one-day affair. It takes minimum 3 days to solemnize a Bengali marriage. 

In this first post, I am writing about “Invitation Cards”. We received our invitation cards to invite our guests / relatives yesterday. Before giving this card to anyone, we now need to dip turmeric and vermilion into mustard oil or any other oil and then we have to paste them separately in the top left corner of the invitation card.  Like in the picture below:

I did not know why we do this so, I asked my mom and she said, “In Hindu religion turmeric is a sign of purity. Moreover,Hindu Marriage and vermilion is inseparable as Indian married women mark their forehead with vermilion aka sindoor." Every married Indian women put vermilion on their forehead after taking bath everyday and pray for the long life of their husband. Vermilion is also kind of informing society that this woman is taken.    

After putting vermilion and turmeric dots on card we then offer first invitation card to all our Hindu Gods and request them to come and bless the bride and groom. Then the parents of the Bride and Groom visit the houses of their relatives , friends and acquaintances to Invite them for the D- Day personally with the invitation card.  

My Wedding Card

Details of Bride , Groom And Their Parents

Turmeric and Vermilion at the top left corner  on the Envelop

Just like my wedding I would keep this post short and simple. I would come back soon with another interesting post on Bengali marriage rituals. 

Read more about "Bengalis" (Here).