My parents have shown unrelenting love throughout my life and put up with my antics, from picky eating to wanderlust. They have welcomed Tushar into the family (and now into their home while his place is under renovations)! They are the absolute biggest blessings of my life. Mwah!
From running around in the huge yard we loved in our childhood home, to exploring new cities and countries together, I am blessed to have grown up with my sister and friend. Our personalities couldn't be more different, yet to this day we bond over singing quirky songs like we used to on long road trips growing up. Luckily, we no longer fight over our pretend "oven" we had created in the backseat of the car.
Growing up, I followed in Michelle's footsteps as "little Noronha," and because of all of her accomplishments, I had big shoes to fill. Even living in NYC, Michelle shows her love for me in so many ways - from buying my plane tickets when I'm broke and getting a tow truck to me faster than AAA after a fluid leak. I am so blessed to have my big sister stand by my side on my wedding day!
We have grown up together through all the different stages of life. Monica has a beautiful voice (she is an opera singer and I know I'll see her in Carnegie Hall one day) and an even more beautiful heart. We always dreamed about standing in each others' weddings, and we can't believe the day is finally here!
K-mama is my dear college friend, fashion guru, and queen of happy hour. The first time I met Karishma, it was 2 am. I had arrived to college orientation a couple days late after a series of flight cancellations on the way home from Europe. When she bounded in the room in a sparkly headband and velvet sweatsuit, I swore we wouldn't be friends. Flash forward sharing uncontrollable giggles and tears on the stairwells, Galentine's brunches, trips to Chuck-E-Cheese with her baby sister, and years later we are still inseparable.
Karishma came to visit me in my village during my Peace Corps service, and has a unique insight into my life in Africa because she really tried to live it with me. One day, we dreamed out loud about our wedding days on a sandbar on the Tanzanian coast. We think back with nostalgia about how her day finally came, and her marriage started, and mine is so soon!
Joanne is the cousin closest in age to me on my dad's side, in a family where the cousins grew up like long-distance siblings. Growing up, I longed for India trips to visit our Mangalore cousins, play with their dogs, giggle with their piglets, and gorge on Gudbud ice cream. Sometimes, I even went to school with Joanne at St. Agnes' Convent, complete with a plaid skirt and plaits!
Now that Joanne lives on my side of the planet, being friends and cousins as adults is even better. From wedding dress shopping together to food festivals, but moreover heart to hearts, Joanne is a blessing in my life and in the lives of all of those she touches.
Still, in spite of being younger, Andrea serves as an example to me in many ways. I brag about my baby cousin who is a dedicated student, researcher, a fierce friend, and kicks butt at the gym on top of everything. She is more than a cousin, she is my friend, and I could ask for nothing more.
