As a girl of Indian descent growing up in Chicago, I was taught to regularly seek blessings from elders in the family, particularly my paternal grandmother. She would place her hand on my head, and pray that I would be blessed with good health, success in school, and a good home. One day, I stopped her and said, “But grandma, I already have a good home.” She gently smiled, and replied, “No, not this home, this is your parents’ home. Your real home will be your husband’s home.”

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