I'm 35

I've turned 35 recently.

The average lifespan in India is around 70 years. If I go by that number, I've already lived half my life. Somewhere at this midpoint, I felt the need to pause, look back, and reflect on the life I've lived so far.

My Inner Circle

I'm fortunate to have my parents. Without their sacrifices, hard work, and support, I would never have reached where I am today.

I've seen them struggle in ways children are never supposed to fully understand. My mother travelled 3–4 hours every day for work, and my father cycled nearly 15 kilometers under the scorching sun just to make sure we had good education and food on our plates. They silently carried responsibilities far heavier than what we realized back then.

I still remember the time when there was uncertainty about whether I should pursue Engineering or settle for a diploma because we simply couldn't afford college fees. During that moment, my brother stood up for me. He said that if I studied Engineering, then he should too. That support changed my life. Had he not stood beside me then, my life may have taken a very different path.

No matter what I do for them, I will always remain indebted to them.

Another beautiful chapter in my life was marrying Soundarya, someone who shares a very similar outlook on life as mine.

We were both deeply family-oriented, never measured life purely through money, and always believed in treating people equally regardless of age or financial status. Those values connected us instantly and gave me confidence that I was choosing the right person to spend my life with.

Neither of us came from a financially comfortable background. We started with responsibilities, loans, and uncertainty. What we build from here onward will truly be ours, built through our own efforts and sacrifices. And there is a different kind of happiness in that.

Looking back now, marrying her remains one of the most meaningful decisions of my life, and I'm genuinely happy that I did.

And then came the greatest blessing in my life — our children, Adhiyan and Athira.

I had always wished for two children, and having both a son and a daughter gives me a sense of completeness that words cannot fully explain. I truly couldn't ask for anything more.

One thing I look forward to is writing about them and documenting these little moments, so that one day they can look back and see what their childhood looked like through my eyes.

This is my inner circle. And I'm deeply grateful for it.

Circle of Relationships

There are certain people in life with whom you may not have spent a lifetime, yet their presence leaves the feeling that they have been part of your journey for much longer. I feel fortunate to have earned such beautiful relationships in my life — people who genuinely care for our family, wish good things for us, and stand by us with sincerity.

A few years ago, I knew nothing about many of these relationships. Today, they have become people I deeply value and naturally turn to. These are the people who naturally come to my mind whenever I think about planning a movie, a dinner, or a trip.

As life moves forward, I’ve realized how important it is to stay within a circle that brings peace, happiness, and emotional comfort.

Final Thoughts

When I look back now, I realize life was never truly about money or achievements.

It was always about people — the ones who stood beside us, shaped us, and made the journey meaningful. I'm forever grateful for that.