bridegroom

I was around five or six when my paternal uncle married my paternal aunt, prompting a huge celebration in the family that people from all parts of the state of Odisha came to attend. I do not remember the size of the wedding; only the joy of meeting a new family member who I felt was sure to love and care for me. It was years later I learned that my grandparents had one strict rule for both their sons’ weddings that they printed on all wedding cards: “Please bring only blessings, no gifts”.