Chennai: Love defies time and does not stop because of exterior forces. People in love have overcome various barriers and stood together. News Today brings out tales of young and elderly love couples on the eve of Valentine’s Day.
Social media has made the world a small one today. But can you imagine a time when communication over phone was limited to just 100 messages a day, and sneaking out from one’s house was a huge risk?
Saravanakumar and Vijithra, both residents of Annai Indira Nagar, Velacheri, fought all odds to be together. ‘We both worked in the same office and he was handling a senior post. Initially, it was I who fell for him, and it was love at first sight,’ smiles Vijithra shyly.
“The one year of love before marriage was a beautiful phase. Usually we met outside, mostly at restaurants, Besant Nagar and Marina beaches and in temples. Back then, we just had a basic phone with 100 text messages a day and had to use it carefully as I was not able to talk to him over the phone when at home.”
After a year, the duo got married without informing their parents. “My family is very conservative and did not approve of love marriages,” she says. The couple entered wedlock at Besant Nagar with just 10 friends for support. It has been eight years since their marriage now and they have a daughter.
However, these eight years have been a tough road for them. ‘We had no support from our families and had taken up responsibilities on our own. The struggle was even more after our daughter was born. Gradually my parents accepted our marriage; however, they did not visit or get involved with us,’ she says.
So what is their opinion about love marriages now? ‘Communication has become so easy, with smart phones and social media. Those days, we had to wait eagerly to see or talk as meeting each other was very difficult.’ The word of advice they have for other couples is that family support is important.
“Although we are happy with each other, there is always a tinge of sadness, and that’s because we miss our family,” conclude the couple, who celebrated their wedding anniversary Friday.