1997
I was 29 then.
It was December in Marthandam — my hometown, known for its golden honey, crunchy cashews, and lush green fields that shimmered after every rainfall. A river flowed gently nearby, and the market buzzed with life, just as it always had.
But that December, I wasn’t there for the honey, or the cashews, or the river.
I was searching for something more.
I was searching for love.
In a quiet village called Thickurichy, I heard about a girl — someone who, like me, had been praying for the right person. She lived near her grandmother, Mrs. Esther. The moment I heard her name, something stirred deep inside me. I didn’t hesitate.
It was already 10 PM, but I set out — heart racing, hope rising — straight to her house.
Knock! Knock!
“Hello, Grandma!” I called out.
BARK! BARK!
A huge dog rushed toward the gate, barking like it had one mission — to test my courage. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. But I stood my ground. What if she was watching? No way would I let a dog ruin my first impression.
Her uncle, Mr. David — a strong man from the Air Force — came out and calmed the dog with practiced ease. He greeted me with a wide smile and said, “You can meet her… but only tomorrow morning.”
Tradition had spoken.
The First Glance That Changed Everything
The next morning, I returned — this time with my father, brothers, and cousins. We entered her home, all smiles and a few nervous glances.
And then… I saw her.
She smiled.
And just like that — bam — my heart didn’t skip a beat. It jumped.
There was no dramatic music. No poetic lighting. Just a quiet certainty.
Something deep within me whispered: She’s the one.
The Chennai Confirmation
A week later, she and her father traveled to Chennai — to make sure I really worked at TCS, as I said.
They arrived at my office. Thankfully, the receptionist said good things about me (bless her!). I took them to Saravana Bhavan for coffee. I kept it short and professional — wanted to look busy, like a good software engineer.
But even in those few minutes… our eyes met.
And in that silence, our souls spoke.
No words were needed.
God’s Perfect Match?
Not long after, we were engaged.
Two Bible verses echoed in my heart — not just as Scripture, but as a living reality:
“A good wife is a gift from the Lord.” – Proverbs 19:14
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
In her, I didn’t just find a life partner.
I found God’s answer.
We journeyed together full of joy, some marked by trials that neither of us saw coming.
And though our paths eventually diverged, I still look back on that December with gratitude.
Not all love stories end the way we expect. But even those that last only a while can still carry the fingerprints of God.
And sometimes, the gift isn’t just the person — it’s the lessons, the memories, and the reminder that love, even when it hurts, is never wasted. Praise God for everything..