Manjyot and Praneet Bubber’s first meeting took place at an airport and ever since they have been flying high

Gurnaaz Kaur

A chance meeting set the ball rolling in their case. It was love at first sight, that too at an airport. Manjyot and Praneet Bubber have been together for 18 years. While Praneet is an accomplished architect and founder of Phulkari Women of Amritsar, Manjyot runs a machinery manufacturing business.

If she loves reading, sailing, swimming and singing, he is an epicure and passionate audiophile. She lives by the quote, ‘you are the author of your own life’ and he goes by the philosophy of ‘live and let live’. Together, they love to travel and create happy memories with family as well as loved ones.

The first meeting

Praneet: On a trip back to India from New York City (where I was living that time).

Manjyot: Our meeting was at the airport in May 2002. That’s where it all began!

Love at first sight

Praneet: Definitely.

Manjyot: Yes.

Changes that followed

Praneet: Moving back from the US was a huge change; getting used to the culture of North India having been born and brought up in Chennai was yet another change. We both went with the flow; adapted to the changes.

Manjyot: There was no huge change as such because we share common interests. We have two wonderful children and life could not have been better.

Living together is

Praneet: Couldn’t ask for more.

Manjyot: Fantastic.

Fun time

Praneet: Listening to music, spending time with our children, travelling and experiencing new cultures and cuisines.

Manjyot: Listening to music, travelling, trying different cuisines and spending time with our children who now are mostly away at boarding schools.

Needs change

Praneet: Nothing.

Manjyot: Praneet should spend less time on the phone.

Gets annoying

Praneet: He is such a perfectionist, it drives me crazy.

Manjyot: Nothing really.

Couple goals

Praneet: Retire in New York or London.

Manjyot: Travel more.

Wow factor

Praneet: Manjyot completes me. He is truly my best friend, my confidant; the wind beneath my wings.

Manjyot: Her easy-going attitude, great sense of humour and same mental wavelength.

A piece of advice

Praneet: To make a marriage work, there has to be respect and understanding.

Manjyot: Teamwork. Treat your spouse as a complete equal, give her space and never end the day on a bad note.

Secret to a happy married life

Praneet: Complete faith.

Manjyot: Your wife is always right…

Space matters

Praneet: Space is very important; it shows trust between the partners.

Manjyot: It is extremely important. You do not want to suffocate each other.

Separate rooms or vacations?

Praneet: Sleeping in separate bedrooms – why? Separate vacations – sure! Having said that, I miss Manjyot so much that I wonder why I took the vacation without him in the first place.

Manjyot: I do not see the sanctity of sleeping in separate bedrooms, but no harm in a separate vacation.

Once the pandemic is over

Praneet: The first thing we will do is travel.

Manjyot: Start some home renovations and hopefully travel

Solo activity

Praneet: We’ve spent quality time together and it was the first time since our wedding, but my solo activity once things get better, would be to go back to the gym.

Manjyot: I’ll go for a hike. That is the only thing she doesn’t quiet enjoy though she has been sporting enough to accompany me on a few occasions.