Love Stories During the Pandemic

During the pandemic, while many relationships were put to the test, it also witnessed a significant number of marriages – possibly driven by a desire to save on wedding expenses. Here are candid confessions from women who chose to get married during this extraordinary time and how it impacted their unions.

1. The Strain of Frustration on Our Marriage – I had always dreamt of a grand, in-person wedding surrounded by family and friends. However, when the pandemic struck, my fiancé and I initially contemplated postponing our special day. Instead, we made the unconventional choice of having a virtual wedding. While it differed from the wedding I had envisioned, I was pleasantly surprised by the intimate experience. However, it was only after 5-6 months that we realized the pandemic had taken a toll on our relationship. Working from home and being in each other’s constant company led to frustration. We found ourselves bickering and attempting to distance ourselves from each other. In hindsight, we understood that it wasn’t us but the challenging circumstances that created problems. We both value our independence, and the sense of confinement eventually led to our divorce within two years.

2. Financial Stress Put to the Test – The pandemic dealt us a severe financial blow. Shortly after our wedding, lockdowns were imposed, and we both lost our jobs, making it a struggle to make ends meet. The stress of mounting bills and an uncertain future strained our marriage, leading to arguments and feelings of helplessness. It was an incredibly tough period, but we had to find ways to support each other while navigating financial uncertainty. I began crafting candles and teaching origami through online classes, while my husband explored various opportunities. It was far from smooth, but we managed to get through it, reminding each other of the commitment to stand together.

3. The Pressure of Limited Social Interactions – We had always been a close-knit couple, dating for six years before deciding to get married during the pandemic. We were financially prepared, albeit on a tight budget, and were open to taking breaks if needed. However, the pandemic’s restrictions on social interactions had an impact on our relationship. Spending most of our time at home caused us to grow apart. The absence of external social interactions intensified the pressure on our relationship, compelling us to navigate new dynamics to maintain our marriage.

4. Joint Family Blessing Amid the Pandemic – We had an arranged marriage in the midst of the pandemic and were apprehensive because we were moving into a joint family of 12 people! Each of us had our own floor – my husband and I, my in-laws and sister-in-law, my brother-in-law and his family, and my husband’s grandparents. It was a full house! Our only rule was that dinner was a time for all 12 of us together; otherwise, the day was ours. I handled the weekend dinners, while my husband took on breakfast duty for his parents and me. Thankfully, we retained our jobs, and it was a smooth journey throughout. Whenever we needed space from each other, we simply moved to different floors to unwind and clear our heads. There was a solution for every challenge, and the pandemic brought us closer together.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Times of India}