The Power of Chosen Family: A Love Beyond Blood

One thing that always lingered in the back of my mind when I cut ties with my siblings and their families was that my daughters would grow up without cousins, aunts, and uncles who would love and spoil them. I worried they would miss out on the kind of family bond that comes from extended relatives.

But looking back now, I realize I was worrying for no reason. My daughters are surrounded by love, not because of family ties, but because of the incredible people who have chosen to be in our lives—our chosen family.

Nadia: The Godmother Who Spoils with Love

The first person who holds a special place in our lives is Nadia, my ex-manager and the godmother to both Maanvi and Jiya.

When I worked at the bank, Nadia was my manager, but she quickly became much more than that. She was the one person I felt completely comfortable around, someone I knew always had my back. I had other wonderful colleagues—Monica, Gill, and Phyliss—but Nadia was different. She was like the mother figure of our branch. As the assistant manager, she was often in the office more than the actual branch manager, so many of us turned to her for help, whether it was dealing with difficult customers or workplace challenges.

My relationship with Nadia, however, was unique. I can’t quite explain it, but she became my confidant. During the difficult times with my family, I would vent to her, and she would always listen calmly. Our bond grew even stronger after I cut ties with my side of the family, and she even helped me and Nitin financially when we needed it. Of course, we always paid her back, but her willingness to support us in those moments meant the world.

So, when Maanvi was born, it was an easy decision to ask Nadia to be her godmother. Since Nitin is Christian and Maanvi was to be baptized, it felt right. Over the years, Nadia has spoiled Maanvi endlessly, and when Jiya was born, she naturally became her godmother too—officially so after Jiya’s baptism last summer. If she’s unsure what to buy for the girls (since she only has adult sons herself), she simply transfers money into their savings accounts and asks me to pick something out. But no birthday or Christmas ever goes by without gifts from their favorite Aunty Nadia.

Dee: My Best Friend, My Sister, and My Daughters’ Maasi

The next person who plays a huge role in my daughters’ lives is Dee, my best friend from university. Dee and I have always been like sisters, so it was only natural that she would embrace my daughters as her nieces, just as I have done with her daughter.

What makes it even more special is that Dee’s daughter is just two years older than Maanvi. This means my girls have grown up alongside her, not just as friends, but as true cousins. They treat each other like family, and their bond is unbreakable.

Dee is another person who never fails to spoil my daughters. Every time she visits, she brings gifts for them. Jiya, in particular, absolutely adores her. In fact, I sometimes joke that Jiya might love Dee more than she loves me! They share the same sense of fashion, similar hobbies, and even a similar personality. When we’re out together, people often assume Jiya is Dee’s daughter, and honestly, if it were anyone else, I might feel a little jealous. But not with Dee.

Our relationship has always been one where my kids are her kids, and her kid is mine. We’re so comfortable with this dynamic that Maanvi has Dee’s number saved in her phone, and Dee’s daughter has mine. They call us whenever they need advice—sometimes about things they don’t want to discuss with their own mothers because, as they say, their Maasi (the Hindi word for maternal aunt) is way cooler than their actual mom!

Tabz: The Friend Who Insists on Giving

The newest addition to my daughters’ list of honorary aunties is Tabz, my friend from secondary school. Over the past two to three years, she has made it a tradition to send gifts to Maanvi and Jiya every Christmas. No matter how many times I tell her it’s unnecessary, she insists on sending something thoughtful that the girls absolutely love.

A Christmas to Remember

Thanks to these incredible women, my daughters had the best Christmas last year. The way everything worked out, it felt like they had four Christmases instead of one!

• On Christmas Day, they received gifts from us as parents and from their grandparents.

• On New Year’s Eve, Aunty Nadia’s presents arrived, slightly delayed due to the holiday postal rush.

• On New Year’s Day, Dee and her daughter came to stay for a few days and brought even more gifts.

• And finally, at the end of January, Tabz’s package arrived—one last surprise that extended the holiday season for them!

But it’s not just Christmas—this happens for their birthdays too. Every time one of these amazing women visits, my daughters receive gifts, love, and affection in abundance.

The Beauty of Chosen Family

Looking at all of this, I can confidently say that my initial worries were completely unnecessary. Yes, my daughters may not have their biological aunts, uncles, and cousins in their lives, but they are far from lacking love, support, and doting family members. In fact, they might just have the best kind of family—the one that’s chosen, not bound by blood but by pure love and unwavering care.

Nadia, Dee, and Tabz have filled the gaps in ways I never imagined. They’ve not only stepped into the role of doting aunties but have also given my daughters a sense of belonging, love, and connection that I once feared they would miss out on. Their generosity isn’t just about gifts—it’s about the time, effort, and thoughtfulness they pour into my girls, and for that, I will always be grateful.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that family isn’t just about shared DNA. It’s about the people who show up, who love you unconditionally, and who make your children feel cherished. And in that sense, my daughters are truly blessed.