Fed up with dating apps? Arranged marriages aren’t that bad after all

I never thought I'd go for an arranged marriage. At 29, with a good job in finance and a busy social life in Mumbai, I figured I'd meet someone naturally. But after a string of dead-end relationships, I gave in to my parents' suggestion to "just try" the arranged marriage route.

The first few months were rough. I met guy after guy in coffee shops across the city. Some were nice, but there was no spark. Others were clearly just looking for a wife to please their parents. One memorable disaster spent the entire time talking about his workout routine and protein shake preferences.

I was ready to give up when my aunt insisted I meet "just one more." Enter Rohit. He was 30 minutes late, apologizing profusely about Mumbai traffic. Normally, that would've annoyed me, but something about his genuine smile put me at ease.

We started talking, and for the first time, it didn't feel like an interview. We discussed our jobs, sure, but also our hopes, fears, and the little things that make us tick. He loved old Bollywood movies; I preferred books. We both had a weird obsession with trying street food in every new city we visited.

We started meeting more often. Sometimes with family, sometimes alone. We talked about everything - our careers, dreams of traveling the world, and yes, our expectations from marriage. It wasn't always smooth. We disagreed on things like how often to visit our parents and where to live long-term.

But we talked through it all. No topic was off-limits. I realized I was falling for Rohit not because he was perfect, but because he was real. He saw me for who I was, flaws and all, and liked me anyway.

Six months in, Rohit proposed. Not because it was expected, but because we both knew this was it. We wanted to build a life together.

Looking back, I'm glad I gave arranged marriage a chance. It wasn't the outdated, forced thing I feared. Instead, it was a way to meet someone I might never have crossed paths with otherwise.

Our marriage isn't perfect. We still argue and have our ups and downs. But at the end of the day, I'm grateful. Not just for finding a partner, but for the journey that brought us together.

Arranged? Yes. But also chosen, wanted, and deeply loved.

Maybe, give it a shot - treat it like you matched with someone on Hinge only, but with some more social markers 😅