Hello Guyz,

Grab a glass y’all, because today I want to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary with you lovely people. It’s been not only 10 years, 120 months, 3650 days and 5256000 minutes for Zoheb and I. But also a case of 10 years, 2 kids, 5 houses, 7+ holiday destinations  and 0 pets (do house plants count?). A decade since we’ve said …well not ‘I do’, but ‘Qabool hai’ 🙂 , a decade of legally being allowed to hang around together, and a decade of adjusting our lives to live and grow together. Alhamdullilah. I wanted to do something special today to mark this milestone. And what better than do a fun anniversary-special Q&A session with Zoheb where we both ask each other a few interesting questions.

Now, I emailed a copy of the questions to Zoheb in advance, and we’ve decided to answer them separately. There has been some eye -rolling on his part with the kind of questions I’ve come up with, but he’s being a good sport and agreed to tag along with my crazy request. I’m excited to see what he has to say, and promise I’m going to control myself from not editing anything on his part before I hit ‘Publish’. Hee hee…

Right, I’m excited to begin so Lezzz goooo!

1. What do you love about married life with your other half?

Khushboo:

I love knowing I always have that one person I can rely on a hundred percent, whether it is during moments I want to share my success and wins, or at times when I’m at my most vulnerable. I rely because I know he will be honest, he will not sugar-coat for me, he will guide me and only push me to bring out my best self.

Zoheb: 

Marriage is a two-member team that wins, losses and draws together. It is a lifelong emotional commitment that if taken in the right way will help you get through the hurdles this life throws at you. I see that emotional attachment in Khushboo, which makes this married life a truly lovely and amazing commitment. 

2. What is the one skill your partner has that you don’t excel in?

Khushboo:

Apart from making lovely coffee, you mean? Zoheb is a morning person and I am not. From the minute Zoheb is up, he is ready to charge at whatever the day may throw at him.   I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite and need some time, atleast half and hour before I feel ready to conquer the day. I need this time to gather my thoughts, mentally plan the day ahead and get some breakfast in me, before I can even start being myself. 

Zoheb: 

It is not a skill but I don’t think I particularly excel at being strict with our kids. I believe I pamper them a lot and get to be the ‘cool’ parent. Khushboo is much better at handling the disciplinary moments in a positive manner, and get the children to do the activity that she intends them to do. What’s your secret, Khush?

3. What small gesture from your partner makes you feel better after a bad day?

Khushboo:

During the first few years of our marriage, I thought the expression of physical affection was important to be known that each one of us loves the other. However, years down the line I’ve come to realise that as much as a hug and kiss provide me that emotional support, the thing that instantly puts me in a good mood is when Zoheb comes home with snacks for me! And over the years, he’s got very good at remembering which foods make me the happiest.

Zoheb: 

Lately it has been a very difficult time all around for many of us. The pandemic has impacted life and ways of living in unimaginable ways. I did have those uncertain days where we thought how is this going to get any better. Such thoughts require an emotional outlet and a simple hug did the miracle for me. A hug from Khushboo made me feel happy and comforted, forget the little stresses, bring back self- belief to achieve more myself and my family.

4. Who is the better cook?

Khushboo:

We have two very different styles of cooking. I follow the recipe to the T, while Zoheb likes to add ingredients that take his fancy. Both have their benefits, because while I can get the technical side of cooking right (I almost never have soggy rice) , he can surprise with lots of new flavours. I’m glad he enjoys cooking, and is always suggesting new dishes to try together. However, it is I who spends most of the time making meals, which turn out good enough, so I’d say I’m the better cook.

Zoheb: 

This is the most difficult question to answer in this series. I am joking, but definitely  it has to be Khushboo. She makes wonderful dishes and has a hand written recipe book. I do sneak in and try a few dishes, but the overall impact is much better when she makes it. I tend to forget the salt, over do with the spices and so on.  

5. What places do you want to travel together to?

Khushboo:

We both love seeing the different natural landscapes on this world. It has been the islands of Thailand, mountains of Austria and idyllic lakes of Wales that we’ve loved more than what bustling cities have had to offer. So, any new country with breathtaking views is what’s on our bucket list, for example South Africa, Egypt and Japan. I’d love to travel again to Austria and Switzerland too.

Zoheb: 

I would say all over the world. We have only seen 12% of the world, which are only a few countries. Should travelling become normal and safe again, post Covid, I’d love to visit Egypt, Turkey, Kenya and maybe Japan to begin with. 

6. Who has the bigger wardrobe?

Khushboo:

Well, that’s me, and yet somehow I still can never find anything to wear. Relatable?

Zoheb:

I have a closet with 2 doors. Khushboo has a closet with 3 doors. Guess the answer !!!

7. Describe a ‘perfect’ day with him/her.

Khushboo:

With most days of the week set in routine and scheduled for work, house chores and kids’ activities, a perfect day would be one which is the complete opposite of what we normally do. So, waking up without the sound of an alarm, followed by either heading out to visit places around town, or stay indoors and relax in front of Netflix. Either way, a perfect day is one which has Zoheb around.

Zoheb: 

A ‘perfect’ day has to start with a lovely breakfast we get to share together, which is followed by heading out to visit new places and play tourist for the day. Nothing makes the day better than good food, so lunch and dinner should be at a nice place we’ve been meaning to try out. Anything relaxing, such a walk along the beach, or a long drive is always on the list too.

8. What’s your favourite memory of the last 10 years spent together?

Khushboo:

There are so many memories we’ve shared together, some good and happy, and other challenging ones that have shaped the people we are today. There is no way I could narrow them down to a list, but to name a few: our wedding day and the suite we got for the day, the lunches shared together during my lunch breaks at my work place, our holidays abroad with your perfect itineraries, listening to our kids’ heart beats at the Ultrasound scans, the Clexane injections you’ve had to help me with during both my pregnancies, the moment our kids were born and so much more.

Zoheb: 

There are many good memories, Alhamdullilah, and am so glad I’ve shared them with you. Our first trip abroad to Thailand will always be memorable. The time spent there, island hoping, trying the new cuisines, siping coconut water and exploring the country is still very memorable. Other trips too, like the one to Wales and exploring the many different countries across our Europe holiday journey.

Last but not the least, the birth of both Azmu and Azu, the hardships and challenges faced to have them in our lives, will never be forgotten.

9. Describe each other in 3 words. 

Khushboo:

Even before we were married, it was Zoheb’s honesty and how trust-worthy he can be, that attracted me to him. Next it was his sense of humour and how much he made me laugh. Apart from that his favourite quality in my eyes has to be how kind, self-less and accommodating he has been with my side of the family. So, my three words would be : Honest, Funny and Selfless

Zoheb:

Khushboo is a rainbow of emotions, and it would be difficult to pinpoint just three qualities. However, if I had to it would be that Khushboo is Delightful, always warm and fun to be around; Magnetic, finding myself always wanting to come home to her; and Affectionate, with her actions and words.

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With that this fun Q&A ends! Reading some of the answers has been interesting, even after so many years of having spent time together. Including the lockdown phases.. heehee. I mean, it was only then, after 9 years, that I discovered how excellent chai he makes! I KNOW! MashAllah. 🙂

Thank you for reading all the way till here and would love to hear your comments.

Signing out,

Khushboo

What’s more:

There a few other personal posts I have written for my family members, if you’d like to read:

A letter to my kids amidst the Covid19 lockdown

Dear Azu, on your first birthday

For more on our journey, and our kids, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram. Also, if you enjoyed this post, it would truly mean a lot if you left me a comment and shared this post on your social platforms. <3

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions in this post are those of my own. The photos here are copyright protected and have been taken in collaboration with Photographer Urvashi, from @fablesandhues.

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