Then came the rescue line: “Of course, I remember! Let’s go somewhere. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere with cleaner air.”
This wasn’t just another anniversary. It was twenty years — two decades of living with each other. And that deserved more than a quiet dinner.
Just for perspective: In the interim, seven cooks had come and gone in our home, and 4 microwave ovens had been put into early retirement.
If you are wondering why this kitchen connection, you should know that both Gargi and I can’t cook to save our lives.
In fact, we headlined it when we got married.
Back to the present! A mid-week anniversary meant two things:
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A leave request from school for my daughter
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A brief pause from work for me
We settled on 2 nights in the hills — close enough to reach without stress, far enough to feel like we’d left the world behind.
We chose King’s Cottage (Sundays Forever).
And we didn’t go alone — we invited friends who feel like family.
The moment we reached, the world softened. Stone walls. Wooden beams. Quiet that felt old and comforting.
The rooms were warm, thoughtful — not trying too hard, just… enough.
Then came the food. Not the predictable “good view, average food” that hill properties usually offer. This food hugged the soul.
And then the cake — a chocolate truffle so good that it sparked nostalgia.
Later, we discovered why: Their chef, Manoj, who had planned a surprise for us, had worked at The Big Chill in Delhi.
For two days, it didn’t feel like a hotel stay. It felt like we owned a home in the hills.
When we packed to leave, I turned to Gargi and said quietly, “I hope the years ahead feel like this place — calm, warm, effortless, and full of little joys.”
Your Takeaway
We’re conditioned to celebrate only the so-called big milestones — the silver jubilee, the golden anniversary, the grand numbers. But here’s a truth that life keeps whispering: There’s no guarantee we’ll get there — at least not the way we imagine. So why wait? Celebrate the other wins — from the in-between years to the chapters no one names, but life is made of.
Because sometimes, the 20th matters just as much as the 25th — simply because you made it here.
If you’re still reading: Maybe something is waiting to be celebrated in your life, too — something you’ve unknowingly postponed.
Do it now, because someday is a fragile promise.
About Me
I am a thinker at all times. I see, I think. I hear, I think. I read, I think. Every weekend I write. I would love to know what you think.