PICTURES
Sangeet - http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/11782827_KuPE5/1/832156689_RSrqm
Raj's Pithi & Mehndi - http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/11784382_Sz7Z7/1/832316018_nnT3j
Ceremony - http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/11792669_oV4a2/1/833569186_YATzo
Reception - http://www.sampatphotos.net/Weddings/RAJ-N-ASTHA-WEDDING/2010-04-03-Reception-Raj/11788032_mndZS/1/833595886_KtbUJ
Honeymoon - http://picasaweb.google.com/astha2/Honeymoon?authkey=Gv1sRgCPXtiPSOzOqmcA#
Homecoming - http://www.sampatphotos.net/Weddings/RAJ-N-ASTHA-WEDDING/2010-04-11-Cheda-Chedi-Raj-n/11867578_QGr4m/1
VIDEOS
Ardenwood Angels and Bravehearts Dance - Sangeet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfWa_395ZIc
Mob Dance - Remember "It's about the journey, not the final product" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mgQ1pn_inU
Father-Daughter dance sung by Paras, Shiv, and Karish - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXvK4gTDpI
506 Girls Dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGcSRomPFwc
Aunties' Tappe Dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei4y_l7xi2w
Astha-Raj First Dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxWC_aQR6Y
Raj's Students Messages! (most of you haven't seen these!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGh4Qml_Vew
Bhangra - Arpit and Family Friends - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkc6WFYGf1M&feature=player_embedded#!
Raj's Friends Video Montage - "Through the Years" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQj1Xwm1EsQ
Raj's Friends Dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINDJVILC0
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Our vows
Astha wrote her vows, and I wrote my vows starting with "Because I love you, I ___ " We then read them to each other and combined them to create one set of vows that we both would take. Both of us read these vows to each other during the Wedding Ceremony.
Going through this process definitely made the wedding ceremony much more meaningful for both of us.
Vows:
Because I love you, I promise to always be by your side spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I promise to understand where you are coming from and to be patient. I promise to share what's on my mind and in my heart. I promise to always be ready to listen to what you have to share. I promise to challenge you and learn from you. I promise to help you overcome any challenges, help you work towards your goals, help you question and look deeper, and help you live what you believe. I promise to love your friends and family and treat them as my own. And if I'm not able to keep to these promises, I will always bring the focus back on our love for each other and our common vision. I am committed to you and the life we envision for ourselves. Because I love you, I promise to trust you, to respect you, to take care of you, and walk through life with you hand-in-hand.
Going through this process definitely made the wedding ceremony much more meaningful for both of us.
Vows:
Because I love you, I promise to always be by your side spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I promise to understand where you are coming from and to be patient. I promise to share what's on my mind and in my heart. I promise to always be ready to listen to what you have to share. I promise to challenge you and learn from you. I promise to help you overcome any challenges, help you work towards your goals, help you question and look deeper, and help you live what you believe. I promise to love your friends and family and treat them as my own. And if I'm not able to keep to these promises, I will always bring the focus back on our love for each other and our common vision. I am committed to you and the life we envision for ourselves. Because I love you, I promise to trust you, to respect you, to take care of you, and walk through life with you hand-in-hand.
Questions in Wedding Program
In our wedding program (which explained the Hindu wedding ceremony and had our vows), we included two questions that we wanted our guests to answer. In the below posts, are their thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt responses.
What does living a meaningful life mean to you?
Fun/Entertainment
Success
Family
Charity/Helping Others
> Life is a balancing act. Making sure your spouse, family, and everyone you care about is happy will always make life meaningful. The most comes from balancing whatever is important to you in the above quadrant.
> Living life with loved friends and family because that’s what enriches our life.
> Filled with LOWE!
> Trust each other
> Contentment, peace, and love
> Being able to grow together as a couple but most importantly supporting each other fulfill their individual goals
> Finding purpose in life & being able to do good for others
> (Picture of a home, sun, and three people walking in)
> Surrounding yourself with loved ones
> Making a difference to the world & touch as many lives as you can
> TV, wife, dog, and Scotch is all I need to be happy – Milan / He was supposed to put wife first! – Monika
> Good companionship, under each other & come to the right decision. Do whatever you want to do in your life!
> Existence is for the benefit of others. Be a witness and watch. Watch your Wishes ActionsThoughts Character Health
Married life is to carry on your duties for material, cultural, and spiritual progress.
> Being in service to others.
> Positioning myself well to make a difference for others in a positive way, which will then make my life positive.
> Finding freedom of the mind (or working toward)
> Living a life full of love & happiness shared with family & friends
> Work hard and help others in need
> Personal growth & global impact
> Raising a family with the best of spiritual & educational goals – to better the society.
> More than living life blindly. Adding meaning to life by focusing on your intentions, your values, the effects you have on the greater humanity, and using those ideas to guide your decisions through life.
AKA: Follow your heart.
> Happiness – “Living life as an act of service.” (-Amit)
> Giving to others time and love, and showing interest in what matters to them
> Devotion to, love of, and loved by God and Family
> Enjoy what you have, be happy, do good deeds, and stay connected with family and friends
> Do good. Have fun.
> Man: caring and sharing
Woman: Being in the midst of the energy of close
Relationships.
> I am still trying to figure it out.
Success
Family
Charity/Helping Others
> Life is a balancing act. Making sure your spouse, family, and everyone you care about is happy will always make life meaningful. The most comes from balancing whatever is important to you in the above quadrant.
> Living life with loved friends and family because that’s what enriches our life.
> Filled with LOWE!
> Trust each other
> Contentment, peace, and love
> Being able to grow together as a couple but most importantly supporting each other fulfill their individual goals
> Finding purpose in life & being able to do good for others
> (Picture of a home, sun, and three people walking in)
> Surrounding yourself with loved ones
> Making a difference to the world & touch as many lives as you can
> TV, wife, dog, and Scotch is all I need to be happy – Milan / He was supposed to put wife first! – Monika
> Good companionship, under each other & come to the right decision. Do whatever you want to do in your life!
> Existence is for the benefit of others. Be a witness and watch. Watch your Wishes ActionsThoughts Character Health
Married life is to carry on your duties for material, cultural, and spiritual progress.
> Being in service to others.
> Positioning myself well to make a difference for others in a positive way, which will then make my life positive.
> Finding freedom of the mind (or working toward)
> Living a life full of love & happiness shared with family & friends
> Work hard and help others in need
> Personal growth & global impact
> Raising a family with the best of spiritual & educational goals – to better the society.
> More than living life blindly. Adding meaning to life by focusing on your intentions, your values, the effects you have on the greater humanity, and using those ideas to guide your decisions through life.
AKA: Follow your heart.
> Happiness – “Living life as an act of service.” (-Amit)
> Giving to others time and love, and showing interest in what matters to them
> Devotion to, love of, and loved by God and Family
> Enjoy what you have, be happy, do good deeds, and stay connected with family and friends
> Do good. Have fun.
> Man: caring and sharing
Woman: Being in the midst of the energy of close
Relationships.
> I am still trying to figure it out.
What is the most important element of a successful marriage?
> Trust, Compromise
> Communication – this is important for both the “little things” day-to-day as well as continuously conveying your feelings, thoughts, fears, goals, etc. with your spouse.
> Understanding each other and compromising
>
Resilient / Romance
Energy
Sensitivity
Patience
Excitement
Communication
Teamwork
> Love each other
> Communication, Honesty, Sense of humor, Closeness, Adjustments, Love each other, Respect each other
> Understanding between 2 minds and Compassion between 2 hearts
> Healthy “discussions” (arguments)
> Trust & support one another… even if you’re not sure if you should
> Don’t forget who you are
> For Raj, first year of marriage, say ‘yes’ to what Astha says and after that, Astha say yes to everything he says. Talk everything out.
> Adjustment, compromise, sacrifice, and love (above all)
> Marriage takes 16-1-20-9-5-14-3-5
> Scotch or beer – Milan / Honesty - Monika
> Love and forgiveness are the most important elements of a successful marriage. – Alpa & Kaushal
> Sacrifice for each other, compromise, say yes to each other, & understand
> Always think – “What can I do for you?” Unless it is a question of principle, let it go and forget it.
> Being in service to others.
> Friendship and patience. Allowing your partner to explore what is right for him/her without imposing what you think is right for him/her
> Love & respect for each other
> Anticipation of the next twenty to fifty years of interesting and insightful conversation – infinite exploration
> Also responsible money management =)
> Understanding, listening to each other, & cooperation
> Continuously explore each others opinions & motivations through joyful times & strife alike
> Forgiveness, love & respect especially during difficult periods
> Trust, knowing, & believing that my wife/husband will always be there for me
> Trust, respect, and lots of love
> 1) Astha’s always right. 2) When in doubt, refer to rule (1)
> Trust & being flexible
> Communication – this is important for both the “little things” day-to-day as well as continuously conveying your feelings, thoughts, fears, goals, etc. with your spouse.
> Understanding each other and compromising
>
Resilient / Romance
Energy
Sensitivity
Patience
Excitement
Communication
Teamwork
> Love each other
> Communication, Honesty, Sense of humor, Closeness, Adjustments, Love each other, Respect each other
> Understanding between 2 minds and Compassion between 2 hearts
> Healthy “discussions” (arguments)
> Trust & support one another… even if you’re not sure if you should
> Don’t forget who you are
> For Raj, first year of marriage, say ‘yes’ to what Astha says and after that, Astha say yes to everything he says. Talk everything out.
> Adjustment, compromise, sacrifice, and love (above all)
> Marriage takes 16-1-20-9-5-14-3-5
> Scotch or beer – Milan / Honesty - Monika
> Love and forgiveness are the most important elements of a successful marriage. – Alpa & Kaushal
> Sacrifice for each other, compromise, say yes to each other, & understand
> Always think – “What can I do for you?” Unless it is a question of principle, let it go and forget it.
> Being in service to others.
> Friendship and patience. Allowing your partner to explore what is right for him/her without imposing what you think is right for him/her
> Love & respect for each other
> Anticipation of the next twenty to fifty years of interesting and insightful conversation – infinite exploration
> Also responsible money management =)
> Understanding, listening to each other, & cooperation
> Continuously explore each others opinions & motivations through joyful times & strife alike
> Forgiveness, love & respect especially during difficult periods
> Trust, knowing, & believing that my wife/husband will always be there for me
> Trust, respect, and lots of love
> 1) Astha’s always right. 2) When in doubt, refer to rule (1)
> Trust & being flexible
We got hitched!
So... we just got married a couple days ago! It's been a long time since we've done a blog entry... but I think we're going to bring back the blog to post some aspects of the wedding weekend.
First off, THANKS to ALL our friends, family, and everyone else who made this past week possible. It was really a magical week. =)
First off, THANKS to ALL our friends, family, and everyone else who made this past week possible. It was really a magical week. =)
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