Dear, You..

Celebrating seven years of marriage (eagerly looking forward to the eighth next year!), we find ourselves today, deeply immersed in the life we began on that beautiful December day. We've navigated through seven chapters of stories as a married couple, marking seven anniversaries, and facing seven years of both trials and messes. Together, we've celebrated victories, weathered tearful rejections, pursued careers, sought education, and chased dreams. We've constructed a life filled with dreams—perhaps not exactly the life we dreamt of, but a life of dreams nonetheless. Our journey has been filled with seven years of bill payments, collaboration, child-rearing, medical emergencies, financial worries, and the inherent ups and downs of adult life. We've also faced six years of playful disputes over towels left on the bed, taking out the trash, cleaning the room, and the shared responsibilities and initiatives that come with partnership.

Over these seven years, we've truly tested the vows made during our akad nikah. I realize that we'll continue to test them, perhaps even more so, as the years progress. Ours is a type of love that doesn't hinge on passionate public displays or overt signs—it's a love that allows for silent glances in public, a shared laugh without words, deeply connecting us into one life, one dream, one realm of possibilities that still celebrates our individuality. It's about finding joy in simple tasks because we're doing them together. Seven years on, I've come to understand that this love, this marriage, is simply about us, side by side, facing the world, still eager to do so hand in hand, embracing bad habits, routine, and all. Apologies for not being the most romantic wife, but know I am always trying my best. Thank you for your constant presence, patience, and tolerance.

In the beginning, we were like two puzzle pieces, learning to fit together, our differences painting a vibrant rainbow of compromise and understanding. Through the storms we've weathered and the sunny days we've cherished, we've not only grown as individuals but also become a formidable team, tackling challenges together. Our combined resilience and determination have turned obstacles into stepping stones towards our shared dreams.

As we stand together, celebrating these seven years of marriage, let's not only reflect on the journey behind us but also look forward to the adventures that await. Here's to seven years of love, growth, and the beautiful chaos that is uniquely us. Thank you for being my partner on this extraordinary journey.