You've seen it in the movies and think you're prepared for it. You've heard your friends' stories and think you're prepared for it. You've read numerous blogs and books on real life experiences and think you're prepared for it. Are you really?
Not. Even. Close.
You don't know if your parents are going to embarrass you or make you proud. (Either way it's fun, trust me on this.)
You don't know if his parents are going to be nice to yours. You don't know if you should act coy or display your super confident side. Should you offer tea or leave these formalities to your mother? Should you touch their feet (doesn't come naturally to me at all!) or offer a handshake? Should you keep it simple with the classic 'Namaste' or go with a more formal 'Pranaam'? How should you dress? Can you stick to English or go with the more traditional Hindi? Oh God! The endless questions!
You can't turn to your mom because she's as clueless! You can't turn to the man you want to marry because he's going to give you a blank shrug of the shoulders as if to say "I got nothing!". Dad is emotional enough about the whole thing so forget about worrying him. The American resident brother is more unfamiliar with and a tad detached from this very traditional affair to offer any answers...
Great! Now what!
So we all decided to stick to what we knew best - the Mumbaiyya style! My mom chose comfort over dressy and went with a dreamy white Salwar Kameez. My choice of a simple chudidhar came from a place of slight rebellion (I refuse to succumb to the Saree+shy bride custom) as well as the practical elegant beauty of the outfit. My dad, well, tough choice between black trousers and blue. He picked gray in the end I think. Howewer, I will tell you this - there definitely was the infamous cliche of 'our daughter made this painting'! *cringe*
October 4th 2014 will go down in history as the most successful parent meet ever! There was laughter, healthy camaraderie, selfie war, endless photographs, gifts and bonhomie.
The date was picked and details discussed to boot! What a day!
Glad it's over...
Watch out for more from me!
Much love,
TD for CC
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