I was born in Kerala, India, but raised in the U.S. Among was born and raised in Nagaland, India, and she is a proud daughter of the Ao Tribe. We were both out in the world trying to find a life partner — even braving those matrimonial sites — but fate had a much better plan. Through friends and family, I was handed her number. I called, we talked, and then we met. The first time I saw her, I was finished. Love at first sight. No escape. After our very first date, we looked at each other and basically said, “Okay, so this is it, right?” We dove headfirst into this thing called love and never looked back. Soon after, she met my family in Kerala — and they all fell in love with her instantly. She didn’t just steal my heart, she stole theirs too. The hardest part came when she had to leave Kerala and return to Nagaland, and I had to fly back to Texas for work. Watching her walk away that day broke me a little. On the long flight back, I wasn’t just jet-lagged, I was heart-lagged — tearfully hoping, praying, and wishing that one day soon we’d never have to say goodbye again. From there, we spoke endlessly, sometimes up to 12 hours a day. I mean, who even talks that much without running out of topics? But somehow, with her, every word felt brand new. By the Grace of GOD, our love blossomed into something unshakable. I made her my wife, and she made me her husband. She is my home, my prayer answered, and my forever partner in crime. Looking back now, I can only laugh — I thought I was looking for a wife, but really, I found my best friend, my soulmate, and my wild Ao princess who somehow puts up with me every single day.