What is love? Love is what sets you free.

Back when I was a very angsty teenager (tons of eyeliner, green converse high tops, blaring Linkin Park, etc),

I dreaded college because I had no idea what I was ‘going to do with my life.’

Man, I was so anxious.

I remember shouting at my parents,

“WHY DIDN’T YOU GIVE ME A STETHOSCOPE AS A KID AND TELL ME I HAD TO BE A DOCTOR LIKE NORMAL INDIAN PARENTS?!”

First, they were wide-eyed and taken aback.

Then they said, “Well, that’s not why we came to America.”

I retorted, “Well what if I want to become a waitress.”

My dad calmly said, “Well then, be the best damn waitress you can be.”

I’ve never forgotten that.

It overwhelms my brother and I that our parents didn’t put past dreams,

pressures of society, or parental guilt on us.

They came to this country to give us opportunities,

gave us space to make our own decisions,

and stepped back.

They emphasized to us that they want their kids known for their character rather than their grades,

and then wholeheartedly threw us into the air and trusted us to fly.

They don’t know if we’ll get hurt and hit the ground or go the distance and reach the sky.

They give us freedom in our choices and experiences because of their love for us.

I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to not control the lives you’ve literally created.

But that strength they continue to show us,

motivates us to be exactly who are meant to be.

It’s something I hope I can show my own children one day.

Cheers,