There’s a saying I live by: work hard, play hard. And for a week and a half this summer, we did just that. After months of clinical work, legal consults, and nonstop travel, we finally hit pause and jumped into celebration mode. And what better place to do that than at a Punjabi wedding in New York and then we travelled to Switzerland for a week? I’ll focus on what I love about Punjabi weddings and do a separate blog on our Swiss trip next week.
The trip started for me with something simple but restorative after a week away in West Virginia for work — one quiet day at home in Orlando. Just sitting on my own couch felt like a luxury. But soon, we packed our bags and flew to New York to celebrate my wife’s cousin’s wedding — four days of vibrant events, full hearts, and full plates. What followed was a family reunion in technicolor.
Here’s why I love these weddings so much:
1. The Family Reunion You Didn’t Know You Needed
One of the biggest reasons I look forward to these weddings is the chance to reconnect. Many of my wife’s cousins I’ve known for over 20 years now — I’ve seen them go from kids to parents, students to entrepreneurs, and it’s always a joy to catch up. Each gathering feels like a family time capsule. It’s also a reminder of how time passes — the older generation now watches as a new generation blossoms.
And then there are the kids. Our daughters found their crew among cousins their age, and our younger boys discovered new friendships of their own. It’s powerful to witness these bonds form and grow — cousins meeting cousins, across generations, finding connection through shared laughter and late-night dance circles.
To be honest, it also made me reflect on my own side of the family. I wish we had more of this — not just the big occasions, but the casual connections that these weddings facilitate. It’s on me, too. Life, school, work — they’ve kept me away from reunions I now wish I’d prioritized more. Hopefully, moving forward, we can change that.
2. The Culture, The Clothes, The Celebration
Punjabi weddings are not events — they’re experiences. Multi-day affairs filled with color, music, rituals, and joy. Every day brings a new ceremony, a new outfit, a new playlist. Even though we were in New York, it didn’t feel like it. We weren’t sightseeing — we were inside the celebration, immersed.
And dressing up was surprisingly fun. It’s not often I swap out my scrubs and suits for kurta pajamas and Indian formalwear, but I loved it. There’s something joyful about wearing clothes that connect you to tradition — and sharing that with your family, posing for photos, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
3. The Food… and the Libations
Let’s be honest — the food is next level. Four straight days of rich, spicy, delicious Indian cuisine. From butter chicken to biryani, the buffet tables were like edible art galleries. It’s indulgent in the best way — though I’ll admit, by day four, even I started to question my choices.
And then there’s the open bar — festive, generous, and very Punjabi. Most nights were filled with laughter, music, and yes, more than a few rounds of everyone’s favorite spirits. It’s fun, it’s communal, and it’s a little much… in the best way.
4. Pickleball as the Unexpected Morning Ritual
Believe it or not, our wedding routine included a new tradition: morning pickleball. Every day, some of us would get up and hit the court before the festivities began. It was competitive, exhausting, and completely necessary — a perfect counterbalance to the nights of indulgence. I vote that pickleball becomes mandatory at all future weddings.
5. Weddings Make You Reflect on Your Own
There’s something about watching two people take vows that brings you back to your own wedding day. As I sat there watching Tanya and Paritosh (congratulations again, both of you!) start their life together, I couldn’t help but think about my own wedding in 2005. We had a South Indian Christian wedding and a Punjabi ceremony — all in one day. It was beautiful, chaotic, and unforgettable.
Twenty years later, I look at my wife — the same one in that red sari — and I feel nothing but gratitude. We’ve walked through two decades of love, work, raising a family, and navigating life’s inevitable highs and lows. Marriage isn’t easy — and I truly believe every couple benefits from preemptive counseling, honest conversations, and tools that help them grow together. But watching Tanya and Paritosh brought back that fresh excitement — that sacred promise to keep showing up for each other.
6. The Chaos… and the Calm
Staying in a single hotel room with our whole family? Chaos. But the kind you almost miss once it’s over. We laughed, we yelled, we fought over outlets and toothpaste. It was messy, loud, and beautifully human.
The venues were stunning, the schedule jam-packed, and the hospitality — especially from Yuvraj Uncle and the entire family — was impeccable. It was a masterclass in event planning, family love, and cultural celebration. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly.
7. One Small Regret
We didn’t get a chance to connect with my cousin Shiny, Vincent, and their kids — something I was really hoping would happen. Timing didn’t work out, but I want them to know they were missed. If you’re reading this, we thought of you, and we hope the next time includes more time together.
At the end of the day, this trip wasn’t just about one couple’s wedding. It was about reconnecting — with family, with culture, with memories, and even with ourselves. These moments — the laughter, the dances, the shared meals — they remind us why we work so hard in the first place. A special thank you to Yuraj uncle and the family for outstanding time!
This is what The Second Shift is all about. It’s life beyond the clinic. It’s being a dad, a husband, a cousin. It’s remembering where you came from, and celebrating where you’re going.
“At the end of the day, this second shift is about more than just work—it’s about building a life with purpose. I believe in the power of showing up fully across every spoke of life—career, family, health, finances, intellect, spirituality, and joy. This space is where I reflect, recalibrate, and keep striving for that delicate, worthwhile balance. I write not just to document the journey, but to remind myself—and maybe you too—that it’s okay to want more, to give more, and to grow through every season.” — st