Love Takes Over

As I sit down to write this letter, you are just a 4-year-old boy, eagerly preparing for a 10-day stay at grandparents' house for the Dussehra holiday.

Happy Family Enjoying a Picnic Together

When I first made the decision to send you to grandparents' home for this holiday, my uncertainties lingered. Your uncle had plans to pick you up from Bangalore, and I wondered if you would willingly join him and enjoy the 10 days without us.

But you were so eager and enthusiastic about the idea of spending time with grandparents, aunt's family, and cousins Raakshit and Sravantha. I watched you pack your little bag with such care, and every night, you slept with it right beside you. Your excitement was infectious. You even prepared pizza for your uncle, saved chocloates, cleaned the house, and made the beds for him, and it made me smile to see you so independent, even at such a tender age. 

Getting ready🌴 My little explorer carefully packing #FamilyVacation #TravelPrep

As a parent, I consciously made this decision because I wanted to teach independence through this. Above all, I want you to embrace the unconditional love that your grandparents and aunt's family are showering upon you and kindle the bond with cousin.

I will miss you for these ten days, but that's how life goes. I know, as a parent, I must be prepared for this. And then, when it is time for your graduation, you might have dreams that take you across the ocean. I will admit it or probably cry at the thought of you being so far away. But I must be strong, remembering that you are pursuing your dreams and becoming the person you want to be.

Again, One day, you will stumble upon the love of your life, tie the knot, and spread your wings. The thought of you leaving the nest is a hard pill for me to swallow, but I'll bear it because I realize it's a life's slice and crucial for your happiness and personal growth😄. Hence, As mother and son, we must learn to live independently, embracing life's core values like finding happiness within ourselves. Whether we stay with our loved ones or venture to new places, we should be adaptable.

Thinking about all this, I was hoping that when you wave bye now, I would be over the moon, thinking I would finally get a break from your mischief with the sensation that "pondati oorukku poita" (wife has gone to her maternal home), and I would be scream "my son oorukku poitan" (my son has gone to his grandsparents home)! 😂 #MomLife

But when I waved you goodbye and returned home, it was like a ghost town. The floors were as dry as a desert, missing your magical ability to turn them into a water wonderland. The walls cried out for your artistic touch, and I yearned for our heartwarming chats with your sweet, eye-blinking reactions. The house stood frozen in time, akin to a museum exhibit, with everything perfectly in its place. 😄🏡 We missed the sight of you rushing to the doorbell, eagerly anticipating a parcel or a visitor. The shelf I had tidied up remained shockingly neat, defying your playful nature. I always caution against bed-wetting, but when the bed stayed fresh, spotless, and fragrant, I couldn't help but miss you😄

My dear, hey, wait, I am the one missing you here! Do you really miss me? You have been so happy for the past week, not showing any signs of missing me. Of Course, every kid will go crazy when they have zero restrictions to dive into mounds of chocolate, binge-watch shorts on mobile devices, and, best of all, revel in maximum pampering! 😄🍫📺🛋️. So, I know you might not miss me! 😉 And I understand you were probably trying to escape from this "super spy strict mom." 🕵️‍♀️😂

However, as you bid goodbye, I glimpsed your face, and for a brief moment, it bore a wistful expression. It spoke volumes of the love you hold for us.

With all my love,

Your mamma

The Gift of Wings: Our Family's First Flight Journey

 Click below to read about planning this birthday surprise and flight journey

In this article, I will share the story of how my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and my son, Hethvick, embarked on their first flight journey, creating memories that will be cherished.

Birthdays are a time for celebration and surprises. This year, I decided make my husband's special day truly unforgettable. 

As the clock struck midnight, the stage was set for a momentous surprise. After unwrapping all the gifts, I presented him with an oversized box. The big box seemed to raise suspicions, and he thought it was a prank. He then began to carefully unwrap the large box. Little did he know that inside the box lay a surprise that would take his breath away. 

As he finally opened the box and gazed inside, nestled within the confines of the box was a flight ticket. The seconds seemed to stretch as we all waited for his reaction. The surprise, carefully concealed within the box, was now out in the open. His eyes sparkled with a mix of astonishment, gratitude, and sheer joy. That's how I revealed his birthday gift: a flight journey for his parents and our son.

Waiting for Their First Flight Journey

Hand in Hand, Embarking to the Airport

My Son Thrilled for Upcoming Trip!

Our journey began with a thrilling secret. As per our plan, we headed to Bangalore airport without revealing to my father-in-law that we were going to travel by flight. It was all part of the grand birthday surprise! We had our boarding passes ready and were eagerly waiting for the moment to spill the beans. After we had our boarding passes in hand, we excitedly informed our father-in-law that this surprise trip was his anniversary gift.

However, just when we thought everything was going smoothly, I received a call from the airport. There was an 'unrestricted item' in our suitcase, and after some suspenseful moments in front of a virtual camera, they opened our suitcase to discover the culprit – a simple power bank! It may have been a minor hiccup, but it added an unexpected twist to our adventure.

The flight attendants warmly welcomed us onboard, and we took our seats. As the engines roared to life and the plane taxied towards the runway, there was an undeniable thrill in the air. 

My son, on the other hand, was in absolute awe. His wide-eyed wonder and infectious enthusiasm were heartwarming. The view from the window was like something out of a storybook for him. He pointed out the tiny houses on the roads below, the fluffy clouds outside, and the seemingly endless expanse of sky.

My father-in-law and mother-in-law, despite their initial apprehension, were soon drawn into the magic of the flight. They marveled at the fact that they were soaring through the sky, above the clouds, and heading to a new destination.

What surprised me the most was when we were about to reach Chennai, I could see the breathtaking beauty of the ocean as we were flying above it.

After landing, We met Ganesh Anna and took his car and embarked on a journey along ECR (East Coast Road) with its breathtaking views until we reached our destination.

As my primary focus was on planning the trip and I had conducted thorough research, I ended up booking a room at Coco Retreat Farm Mahabalipuram based on the appealing photos I saw online. Furthermore, all the hotels were fully booked for Saturday night and this was the only option I was left with. 

However, upon arrival, we were met with a rather disappointing surprise. The room was located deep within a forest, and the atmosphere was quite eerie. The quality of the bedsheet left much to be desired.

Just as I was feeling disheartened, thinking that this was not the way to conclude my husband's birthday celebration, we quickly decided to look for another resort. Fortunately, we found an available option for the following Sunday. Since we were tried we made the necessary adjustments and decided to fly to the new resort the next day.

The next day, we stopped at a tender coconut shop to refresh ourselves. While discussing our travels, the shop owner mentioned that the place we stayed last night wasn't in Mahabalipuram and it's too far from it. 

Well, it sounds like that I might need a geography lesson along with the coconuts! 🌴😂

Though, I felt disappointed about being misled by the resort staff, I quickly decided to focus on enjoying the present moment.

Arriving at Chariot Beach Resort:

Once we reached resort, we decided to spend the entire next day exploring the resort. Our accommodation was at the stunning Chariot Beach Resort, which offered a beautiful golf view room opposite the beach. We checked in and had an electric cab at our disposal to navigate the resort's vast expanse.

Exploring Mahabalipuram:

After a bit of relaxation, we headed for lunch and enjoyed some quality time at the resort's swimming pool. Our first destination was the India Seashell Museum, just a short walk from our resort. The museum left us in awe with its astonishing shell collections, some so lifelike that they resembled real creatures. 

Next up, we ventured to the Mamalla Fish World, where my in-laws indulged in a unique fish spa experience. The Mini Asia and Mineral Museum were equally fascinating, with intriguing displays to explore. The luxury inside the Pearl Museum made me wish I had a costly pearl to adorn myself with!

For a thrilling experience, we visited the Horror Museum, where my brave in-laws found more amusement than fright in terrorizing the ghostly inhabitants. Pancha Rathas, an architectural marvel, captivated us with its intricate stone carvings and historic significance. 

As the day wound down, we relaxed at the beach, and my husband and I took a leisurely walk, hand in hand. The serene waves and the starlit sky created a perfect backdrop for a romantic end to the day.

The next day, we spent some more time swimming and then checked out for the day.

My husband's birthday trip and his parents' anniversary trip to Mahabalipuram were filled with surprises, adventure, and quality time with loved ones. It's amazing how a simple power bank mishap can turn into a memorable part of the journey. Mahabalipuram's hidden gems, from the Seashell Museum to the Pancha Rathas, left us in awe of India's rich heritage. This birthday celebration was a reminder of how travel can create lasting memories and bring families closer together, one adventure at a time.