My dearest Krish,
Eighteen years ago, on 18 October 2008, amidst the festivities of Diwali, you made your entrance into our lives. While the world celebrated the festival of lights, our lives were about to change in ways we could never have imagined.
Your arrival was far from the beautiful, peaceful beginning I had envisioned. An emergency delivery, unexpected complications, moments of fear, uncertainty and countless prayers marked our first journey together. The years that followed brought challenges of their own, testing our strength, patience and resilience.
But through every difficult moment, we held on to each other. Even before we truly knew one another, we had begun fighting our battles together. Somewhere along the way, we made an unspoken promise — we would never give up on each other.
Perhaps that is what makes our bond so special. We didn’t merely grow together; we learnt to be strong together.
And today, that little boy turns eighteen!
I find myself caught between two beautiful emotions — the overwhelming pride of watching you step into adulthood and the quiet ache of wondering where those eighteen years disappeared.
The tiny fingers that once wrapped around mine have grown stronger, the little boy who needed me for everything now has his own opinions, ambitions and dreams. And how beautifully you have grown, Krish!
Not merely in age or achievements, but in character, confidence and the way you carry yourself. Watching you evolve into a thoughtful, intelligent, determined and independent young man has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. You have developed a personality that is distinctly your own, and I couldn’t be happier with the person you are becoming.
Of course, raising a Gen Z teenager has been quite an adventure! We have had our share of disagreements, passionate debates, occasional eye rolls and moments when you are convinced that Mamma belongs to a completely different era. Sometimes our conversations feel less like mother-son discussions and more like courtroom arguments, with both sides absolutely certain they are right!
But that’s part of growing up, isn’t it? Learning to understand one another despite our differences, knowing that love remains unchanged even when opinions don’t match.
And then there is Sia!
The endless sibling banter, the teasing, the arguments over the most trivial things and the remarkable ability you both possess to irritate each other within seconds! One moment, you are debating something as though world peace depends on the outcome, and the next, you are laughing together as though nothing happened.
Yet, beneath all that delightful chaos lies a beautiful bond. Sia looks up to you more than you probably realise. You are her big brother, someone she admires, learns from and, of course, reserves the right to annoy! I hope the two of you always retain this friendship, laughter and sense of belonging, long after you have grown into your own lives.
Your journey through school, your academic accomplishments, your discipline and your determination to pursue your goals have brought us immense happiness. As you now embark on your professional journey, we look forward to watching you discover your potential and build a future of your own.
But there is one particular feeling Papa and I have treasured throughout these years.
We have changed quite a few schools along the way, met different teachers and begun new chapters in unfamiliar surroundings. Yet, every time we walked into a school and someone said, “Oh, you’re Krish’s mum!” or “You’re Krish’s dad!”, our hearts filled with a pride that is difficult to put into words.
Those simple words have always meant so much to us. Not merely because of your academic achievements, but because of the impression you left behind.
Of all the identities we have acquired in life, being recognised as Krish’s parents has been, and will always remain, one of our most priceless privileges.
As you step into adulthood, I want you to remember something I have always told you and Sia.
Your achievements are yours to celebrate, but your setbacks are ours to face together.
We are a unit. Four individuals with different personalities, opinions and imperfections, but united by a love that rises above everything else.
Life will not always go according to plan. There will be disappointments, difficult choices and moments when you question yourself. But never feel that you must carry those burdens alone. We may not always have the answers, but we will always stand beside one another.
I wish you success, certainly, but more importantly, I wish you wisdom, kindness, humility and contentment.
May you have the courage to pursue your ambitions without losing sight of your values. May success make you grateful rather than arrogant, and setbacks make you wiser rather than bitter. Choose your relationships carefully, respect people, honour your commitments and never compromise your integrity.
Be ambitious enough to chase your dreams, but grounded enough to remember what truly matters.
There is something profoundly emotional about a child’s eighteenth birthday.
For the world, it marks adulthood, independence and new beginnings. For a mother, it feels like standing between two chapters — one filled with memories she wishes she could revisit and another filled with possibilities she cannot wait to witness.
I know my role will gradually change. I will have to learn when to advise, when to listen, when to step aside and when to trust you to make your own decisions.
And while a small part of me wishes I could hold on to your childhood just a little longer, a much bigger part of me is excited about the wonderful young man standing before me.
Eighteen years ago, I held you in my arms, frightened of what tomorrow might bring. Today, I look at you with immense pride and excitement for everything your tomorrows hold.
You have given me eighteen years of laughter, lessons, memories, occasional frustration and immeasurable happiness. You made me a mother, but in so many ways, you have also helped me grow as a person.
And if I could return to that uncertain day in October 2008, knowing every challenge, every sleepless night and every emotion that awaited us, I would choose this journey with you all over again, without a moment’s hesitation.
Happy 18th birthday, our darling Krish! ❤️
Papa, Sia and I couldn’t be prouder of how beautifully you have turned out. You have grown into a young man with dreams worth pursuing, values worth preserving and a future filled with possibilities.
Go ahead and embrace this exciting chapter. Make your own choices, create beautiful memories, learn from your mistakes and build a life that brings you genuine happiness.
And through it all, never forget that you have three people who will celebrate your victories, share your disappointments, laugh at your jokes, occasionally disagree with you and love you beyond measure.
The world sees an eighteen-year-old ready to embrace adulthood. I see eighteen beautiful years of learning, growing and discovering the extraordinary joy of being your mother.
And perhaps that is the greatest gift you have given me, Krish — not just the privilege of raising you, but the happiness of watching you become someone I genuinely admire.
I once held your little hand to help you find your feet. Today, I am ready to let that hand go, knowing how beautifully you have learnt to stand on your own.
With all our love, pride, happiness and blessings,
Mamma, Papa & Sia ❤️
P.S. You may officially be an adult now, but don’t expect your Mamma to stop worrying, your Papa to stop advising or Sia to stop annoying you. Some things are simply lifelong privileges! ❤️
