My papa, my world

I don’t know about you, but my papa is my very best friend. He may live thousands of miles away, yet our bond feels like he’s always right beside me – stronger than Wi-Fi, and deeper than words can say.

Papa isn’t just a father or a husband. He’s the kind of built-in friend life quietly gifts you. With him, I can laugh till my belly hurts, cry without judgment, be bossy without resistance, and pour my heart out with no filter. Whether we’re shopping together, sharing a spicy aloo patty, sipping fresh juice, or splitting a pastry slice – these tiny moments feel larger than life. We have so much in common when it comes to flavors and even fashion. He’s totally “my type” of guy.

And yet, he’s such a quiet soul – wholesome, thoughtful, and deeply kind. He never expects anything from anyone, and yet he gives everything. In contrast, I’m outspoken, full of life, and unafraid to be fully me. I chase dreams boldly and don’t wait for doors to open – I build my own. But it was papa who gave me that direction. My dreams were mine, but he lit the path for them to unfold.

There were days when the pockets were empty, but his heart never said no. That’s true wealth – the kind that doesn’t show in bank accounts but shines in values. To me, he’s the richest man alive. And now, he’s not only my papa, but also “Papaw” to my daughters – a title he holds with joy and gentleness.

The privilege of spending time with our parents, especially those who have played double roles like my papa, is one of life’s most priceless gifts. These are the same people who spent decades building our brighter future. Now, as they grow older, they don’t need money from us – they need moments, warmth, and time. Our elders are the keepers of our roots, our culture, and our stories. Papa is the strongest puzzle piece that holds our family together, keeping us grounded and united. Our family runs on Papa Power.

Photos provided by Pooja Thakkar

I feel blessed that my daughters found their best friend in their “Daddio.” Watching their bond blossom year after year gives me a quiet sense of joy and gratitude. My husband might be outnumbered in our girl gang, but he’s also the most loved and playfully spoiled. While others might pity him, we know the truth – he’s the king of our hearts, doing tutus and tiaras with pride and laughter.

The journey of a man – from a husband, to a dad, and then to a granddad – is filled with milestones of love. And in each of those roles, Papa has only grown richer in character and deeper in love.

To hold onto these moments forever, I stitched “Papa, I love you” along with his heartbeat onto the handkerchief he used daily. I repurposed his shirt and my father-in-law’s shirt to create a memory pillow that says:

“When you need a hug, hold me tight – I’m here. — Dada ❤️ Nana.”

Because love like theirs deserves to be felt even in their softest silences.

Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.