Deepa's Story: Romeo and Juliet (Indian Style)I never expected to marry an Indian American, regardless of the fact that I am Indian myself. Born and raised in Michigan (yes I do that thing where I put up my right hand and show you where I live on the "glove"), we really didn't grow up with an extended Indian community. In college, my parents called me the United Nations of daters. They jokingly lobbied for me to give India a chance, but they were extremely supportive of my choices in boyfriends, trusting, I hope, that they had raised me to look for values they would consider "Indian" if not necessarily an Indian person.
As I get older I realize that values I considered "Indian" as a child I simply consider pro-social and beneficial as an adult. Mores such as respecting your elders, believing in the sacredness of marriage, understanding that family comes first. I also grow more and more in awe of my parents who bucked tradition and entered into a "love marriage," despite the fact that each of their siblings went the "arranged marriage" route.
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