I don’t know how you did it. You came all the way across the country to a place you knew nothing about with no one but each other. You established yourselves here on your own with no help from family or friends.

You learned about the culture and grew as individuals.

Then you had kids. That’s when it got complicated. I think you always wanted your kids to pick Indian culture over American culture because that’s who you really are. You may be living in America, but you speak your language, eat your foods, and wear your clothes. You probably wanted your kids to be like that too. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it turned out. I have an American accent and I barely speak your language. I eat Chick-Fil-A and Dunking Donuts. I wear shorts and strapless dresses. It scares you doesn’t it? You think your kid knows nothing of your culture? Well, here’s the surprise: I actually love Indian culture. Getting ready for family get-togethers is the best because I get to pick from my dozens of sparkling salwars. I long for the next Holi celebration where we get to smear colored powder on each other’s faces. And no matter how much McDonalds I eat, I’ll always come home to mom’s rotis.

But it’s not just the food and the culture that scares you. Do you let your kids date? Should they have an arranged marriage like you did? Should they be allowed to go to parties? What about grades? You must have been so confused. How do you raise a child with your culture’s morals, but also the new culture’s expectations? Is it even possible? Well, it must be because you did. You did it, mom and dad.

Thank you.

Thank you for letting me date, but keeping an eye on me. Thank you for letting me go out sometimes, but make sure grades come first. Thank you for raising me with two cultures. I am proud of where I come from and where I am. I am proud to have India roots and American branches. You have shaped me in so many ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you.