The Making of Khalas Culture

After my divorce, my best friend tried to convince me that I had a soulmate, I just hadn't found him yet. I answered her with a quick remark that if I had a soulmate - he was probably born halfway around the world from me. How true that was!

This is me, a white Southern woman from the United States marrying the love of my life in Ahmedabad, India. Now to be honest, it wasn't our first wedding. We will have been married for three years in the US on March 18. However, due to Covid and travel restrictions we were not able to celebrate in my husband's home country until January of 2024.

My friends were amazed that not only was I about to travel to India, meet my in-laws and the rest of Dhruv's family for the FIRST time in person, but we were going to pull off a three-day wedding event in true Gujarat style! Never underestimate the power of what love and respect will give you the bravery to tackle together. Maybe that's why I feel so compelled to start writing these memories and events down. I want to celebrate the beauty that bringing our two cultures together has brought. Don't be naive, not everyone approves - but then again, not everyone matters.

Yes, we are nonconventional in every sense of the word. We have two different backgrounds, upbringing, religions, customs and cultural differences. He speaks English, Hindi, and Gujarati - while I speak English and a whole lot of it is in "Southern-ese". I also have two college-aged kids and two rescue dogs that add to the crazy mix of things. He came from a crowded city life to rural North Carolina. Our cultural learning curve has been tremendous- and hilarious at times, but that is what makes This Perfect Blend so beautiful.