How a chance meeting turned into a lifelong adventure

Life has a funny way of bringing people together. Sometimes, it's through mutual friends, sometimes through shared interests, and sometimes, it's just pure coincidence. My story with Simon is a little bit of all three. It's a story of friendship, music, and the magic of modern technology bridging the gap between two worlds.

A Birthday, A Stranger, and A Conversation

It all started when I was in the UK for my second master's degree. My best friend and I had gone out to celebrate her birthday, just a regular night out with good food, laughter, and the usual birthday shenanigans. And then, in walked Simon. At the time, he was just a stranger, part of a long chain of mutual friends who happened to be in the same place at the same time.

We started talking, and before we knew it, hours had passed. It was one of those effortless conversations where you don't even realise how much time has gone by. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers, not thinking too much about it. I was going back to India soon, and he was staying in the UK. It was nice meeting someone new, but that was all it was at the time.

Distance, Technology, and the Power of Music

Once I was back in India, life got busy, and for a while, we didn't speak. But then, thanks to the wonders of the internet, we reconnected. Facebook Messenger became our lifeline, along with WhatsApp and even Viber (remember that?). What started as casual check-ins turned into long conversations, and before we knew it, we were talking every day.

But the real magic? Music. We both had a deep love for it, and it became our way of staying connected. I would send him Indian folk, classical, and even some metal tracks, and he would send me his favourites in return. We created playlists for each other, sharing songs that spoke to us, that reminded us of each other, that made us feel close despite the miles between us.

It felt like having a pen pal, but one who truly understood me. Simon wasn't just someone I was getting to know-he was becoming my best friend.

The biggest thing that brought us closer was music. We shared playlists, exchanged songs, and found a connection in every note.

Taking the Leap

Months passed, and our connection only grew stronger. Then one day, Simon brought up the idea of taking things forward. It caught me off guard. Coming from a mildly conservative family, the idea of a long-distance relationship, especially with someone from a different culture, was daunting. More than anything, I was scared of losing a friend.

So, I suggested we meet first. No pressure, no expectations-just a chance to see if what we had online translated into real life.

Simon flew to India, and that trip changed everything. Seeing him interact with my family, watching him embrace my culture, and feeling the same ease and comfort in person that we had online-it all just clicked. It wasn't just about us anymore; it was about two families, two cultures, and two lives coming together.

I saw him in my world, with my family, and I knew-this was something real, something worth holding onto.

From Friendship to Forever

We decided to give it a shot, and four years later, here we are. Married, with two beautiful kids, a home filled with love, and a life that's a perfect blend of our two worlds. Of course, it hasn't always been easy. Navigating cultural differences, long-distance challenges, and the ups and downs of life together has been a journey in itself. But at the heart of it all is the friendship that started it all.

Our story isn't just about romance-it's about connection. It's about how technology, music, and a little bit of fate brought two people from different backgrounds together. And most importantly, it's about how love, in all its forms, can bridge any distance.

Fast forward four years, and we have a beautiful family, a home filled with love, and a friendship that turned into forever.

Looking back, I realise that the best relationships aren't always the ones you plan for. Sometimes, they just happen. And when they do, they change your life in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.