Unforeseen Moments

 

Mithran's Animated Sticky

Life often unfolds in ways we never expect — sometimes with it wonderful surprises, sometimes with unsaid lessons we didn’t know we needed.  The most important thing, we have    discovered, is not perfection but the memories we make and cherish with our family.

💍 2006 – A New Beginning

In 2006, soon after we got married, we were in the excitement of beginning our new life together. Like most newlyweds, we decided to mark the occasion with a movie date , our very first one after marriage.

With hearts full of anticipation, we booked tickets for Jillunu Oru Kaadhal at Udayam Theatre. A perfect romantic film to match our mood.

But as the lights dimmed and the screen lit up, we were in for a surprise , the movie wasn’t Jillunu Oru Kaadhal at all. It was Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, a gripping crime thriller, miles away from the tender romance we were expecting.

We were shocked, even a bit disappointed. But instead of letting it ruin our mood, we looked at each other and decided to stay and watch. Maybe it wasn’t what we planned, but we were together  and that’s what mattered.

Later, we found out that only that particular afternoon show was Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, and the next one was indeed Jillunu Oru Kaadhal. It was just a scheduling mix-up. An unforeseen moment.

But looking back, it wasn’t a mistake, it became a memory. One of those small, unexpected turns that life takes, reminding us that not everything has to go as planned to be perfect.

And just like that, we began our journey , with a twist, a laugh, and a story we’d tell for years.

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2009 - 🌟Unexpected Adventure 🌟

One day when my husband was leaving for the office, I stepped out of our apartment just to say goodbye. Luckily, I had my son in my arms. The moment the door closed behind me, I realized it had auto-locked  and my heart sank.

Before I could call out to my husband, he had already taken a cab and was on his way to work. I didn’t have my phone, money, or keys with me, and we live on the twelfth floor, so running down to catch him didn't work. For a few seconds, I just stood there, unsure what to do next.

Then I decided to go to the mini-mart near our building. The shopkeeper aunty was kind enough to lend me her phone, and I called my husband to explain what had happened. He immediately arranged for a locksmith to come and unlock our door. It took almost two hours before we could finally get back inside.

It was a long two hours  standing outside, keeping my son entertained, feeling a mix of worry and relief. I realized how easily small moments can turn into big lessons. Now I’ll never step out without my keys or phone again!

Still, I’m grateful — 🙏🫶🤗😊

Grateful that my son was with me, that the shopkeeper helped, and  everything that worked out safely in the end.

👶 2010 – Welcoming Our Second Son

In 2008, we welcomed our first baby boy while living in Singapore. Knowing his gender ahead of time helped us prepare, and everything felt wonderfully predictable.

But when we were expecting our second child in India, things took a delightful twist. This time, we believed it was going to be a girl -we had the name ready, and our hearts were set. But to our surprise, we were blessed with another chubby, adorable baby boy. And once again, life showed us how love expands in unexpected ways.

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🚆 2013 – A Ticket to Remember

That year, we booked a train from Nagai to Chennai. My husband, though unwell, handled the booking, and with two small children to manage, we didn’t double-check the travel date. We boarded the train as planned -only to find another family sitting in our reserved seats.

Confused, we looked at our tickets and realized with a jolt - our journey was actually scheduled for the previous day.

Thankfully, a kind TTR stepped in. He asked my husband to get down at the next stop, buy fresh tickets, and helped us with two berths for the journey. It was an embarrassing moment, but one that reminded us to always, always check the details - and that there’s kindness in the world when you need it most.

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✈️ A Near Miss

Another close call came during a solo trip I took with the kids from Abu Dhabi to Chennai. Thinking our flight was the next day, we almost missed it — only catching the error during a last-minute double check. We scrambled, packed, and rushed to the airport. We made it — just in time. That day, I truly understood how easily travel times can confuse, and how crucial it is to always verify.

After that, we made a quiet promise: no more AM/PM confusion, and no more travel plans that leave room for doubt.

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 A Day of Shopping and Surprises 🛒

Years ago, it was a mix of excitement and a little stress. We went to Saravana Stores and spent hours shopping  -mainly for the kids. We picked out a bunch of stationery and some of their favorite items 🧸. It felt great seeing everything come together, thinking about how happy the kids would be.

But when we reached the billing counter, our card suddenly failed . The staff suggested we withdraw cash from a nearby ATM . I went over, but the transaction didn’t go through , the slip just said, “Contact your bank.” 😓

I called the bank, and they told me the issue was due to missing KYC documents . I had no idea that could block a card from working. Thankfully, our home was nearby 🏠, so we rushed 🏃‍♂️ back, grabbed some cash, and returned to complete the payment.

Though stressful, the day ended on a high note—everything was bought, and the kids are going to be super happy. The big takeaway? Always carry some cash and keep your documents up to date!

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The Casual Walk That Turned into a Life Lesson 💧

It all started with a simple, spontaneous evening walk. No plans, no purpose - just a casual stroll to get some fresh air. A little while into the walk, we got thirsty (because apparently we’re 70% water but still never carry any). So we stopped at a local shop to grab a water bottle.

Phone out. GPay opened. Finger hovered confidently over the “Pay” button.

And then… nothing.

Loading… loading… failed.

We blamed the network. Switched between data and Wi-Fi. Waved the phone around like it would summon better signal strength. Still nothing. That’s when we realized the actual problem:

Our bank’s server was down.

Suddenly, our high-tech, cashless selves were standing helpless with a ₹20 bottle and no way to pay for it. It’s a strange feeling -to know you have money, but can’t access even a tiny bit of it.

              The Forgotten ₹20 Note 🙌

Just when we were ready to give up (and seriously consider bartering with the shopkeeper), we did one last check — and there it was.

A lonely ₹20 note, folded and forgotten, living rent-free in a corner of a pocket.

You’d think we found buried treasure. That little piece of paper felt like a superhero -swooping in to save us from both dehydration and embarrassment.

Moral of the Story?

We live in a digital age, sure. But that doesn’t mean old-school habits have no value. Tech can fail , phones hang, apps glitch, servers go down, networks disappear. And in those rare but real moments, cash becomes the real king .

So here’s our simple takeaway:

💡 Always keep a little cash on you _even if it’s just ₹50.
💡 Your phone and your bank might ghost you at the same time.
💡 That one crumpled note in your pocket could save the day.

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🌟 A Journey Etched in Memory

Looking back, these weren’t just incidents  they were unforgettable unforeseen moments that shaped us. Each one taught us something. Each one became a story. And each one brought us closer, not just as a couple, but as a family.

We may not always have had the perfect plans, but we’ve always had each other  and that, more than anything else, has made the journey worth it.

Have you ever faced a similar  Unforeseen moments? Share your stories in the comments!

Way to Go............😃