What do you look for in a partner?

It’s a question I have been asking myself for the last 8 years. And I think, over the course of multiple meaningful and mature relationships, I have realized that if I had to summarize it in one word, it’d be ‘Simplicity’.

A simple yet genuine smile. A simple outlook at life – to find joy in the little things and bring joy to others. A simple filter for friends – people who have a kind heart. A simple response to negativity – ignorance. Simple outlook towards work – have fun and make enough to maintain a fulfilling standard of living. A simple outlook to disagreements – give it time, discuss, and resolve. A simple prioritization framework – family and friendships preceed all else.

When I met Shreya, I could pinpoint what about her was WOW. Because every quality of hers was so muted and simple, that I felt like the wow-factor was missing. It took me a while to realize that what made her special was that she was so happy with a simple outlook on life – a close set of friends, a family that she deeply cares about, a pet that his attached to her soul, work that she connects with at a deeper level, and of course, the desire to travel the world to see what colors are out there.

Our pre-wedding is testament to Shreya’s simplicity. We bought no special clothes, no props, no fake poses. Just kept it simple.

Thanks to @TBB for all the inappropriate jokes they tolerated for hours.