A Little Note

This ritual of love has deepened their relationship…

- Anamika K Lalwani

After writing my message, I carefully folded the post-it note, and on the outside, I wrote my husband's name, 'Kishore'. I smiled and placed it in the top compartment of the tiffin carrier. Above it, I put the sweet peanut and jaggery brittle, packed in clear cello, and added two mint candies as well. It is a tradition till date in our home that we fill the top container of the tiffin dabba with something sweet for the men to enjoy after they've polished off their lunch. Kishore and his dad always had lunch together at the store and looked forward to the little treat, which they relished every day. My mother-in-law and I always made sure to stock enough of mithai, packed dates, fancy little candies and lots of peanut brittle and mouth fresheners to pamper their taste buds. And after a couple of months of being married, the novel idea of sending a little note to my husband along with his lunch came to me, from my heart. Besides, back then, we had no cell phones in India to send text messages. A handwritten note was a way of letting him know how special he was to me.

What did I write in my note? Before everyone's imagination starts running wild, let me clarify immediately. I always wrote endearing messages, like: "I love you", "You're special!", "Missing YOU" (This was especially on Mondays!), "Hope to see you soon" (This was usually on a Saturday evening or when we had to go out somewhere.)