Love looks different at every stage of life. Sometimes, it is new and electric — full of promise and possibility. At other times, it is steady and golden — shaped by decades of shared laughter, growth, and companionship.
For this Valentine’s Day, Zariin’s Love Across Decades campaign celebrates both — the beginning of forever and the beauty of staying forever.
As Tarini Gupta Dhawan begins her married life with Abhishek Dhawan, every moment feels new, tender and full of promise. She wears her story close — the Lovebound bracelet and the Heart of Gold necklace by Zariin — symbols of a love just beginning, yet meant to last a lifetime.
“Love is purely being together and with each other through all times, good and bad.”
Tarini and Abhishek are newly married and madly in love. We delve into a quick Q&A to understand what love — and Valentine’s Day — means to them.
Tarini & Abhishek: Love at the Beginning
How did you meet?
Tarini: “That’s a funny story, so we first met when we were much younger…we were about 11-12 years old. Then we drifted apart. We reconnected in 2019, many years later.”
Sometimes love is written early, only to find its way back when the time is right.
How did you know they were the one?
Abhishek: “I knew she was the one from the first time I probably saw her.”
Tarini: “I just knew. I don’t know how but I just knew in that moment that we would definitely be spending our lives together and this is the person I want to be with.”
There’s a quiet certainty that doesn’t need explanation — just recognition.
What is your favourite thing about each other?
Abhishek: “My fav thing is that she is a go-getter. She doesn’t wait for anything and goes and gets what she wants.”
Tarini: “My favourite thing about Abhishek is that he is very calm, very collected.”
She moves with fire. He anchors with calm.
What irks you about each other?
Abhishek: “I think she is a perfectionist. Sometimes it is great but sometimes it can get slightly on my nerves, in a good way.”
Tarini: “I think for me is sometimes his speed. Sometimes he is really slow at getting things done.”
Even the little annoyances become part of the rhythm of love.
What was the first Valentine’s Gift you gave her?
Abhishek: “I actually do remember that by the way! I got her a bracelet with the coordinates of the exact location where we met.”
A memory turned into something wearable — a moment made eternal.
Is Valentine’s still special?
Tarini: “I think it is special. It’s always that one day in the year…..one more day in the year when you can celebrate each other.”
What is the best gift for Valentine’s?
Abhishek: “I’m not someone who actually likes gifts. I think the best gift I could get is just for her to enjoy the day and what we do. I think when she’s happy, I’m happy.”
For them, love is presence. It is shared joy. It is choosing each other — every day.
Love That Lasts: Mona & Ballabh Maliah
If Tarini and Abhishek represent love at its beginning, Tarini’s grandparents — Mona and Ballabh Maliah — represent love that has stood the test of time.
Married for 56 years, their love is still pure gold. In every shared glance and quiet moment lives a story of patience, commitment, and forever.
“One of the biggest things that he actually let me do was is grow. I am what I am today is because of him.”
Tarini reflects on their influence:
“My nani and nana, they taught me that love isn’t quiet or perfect. It is passionate, messy, loyal and chosen every single day. And now having found my life partner, I can’t wait for the ride ahead.”
Mona & Ballabh: 56 Years of Forever
How did you meet?
Mona: “He doesn’t remember me but when I saw him, I thought what is this! Is this a creature….real human creature.”
Ballabh: “I was a standard which was let’s say the gold standard of good looks.”
Even after decades, the laughter remains effortless.
How did you know they were the one?
Mona: “I was 15 and he was 25. He approached my mother for my hand. My mother said you have to wait three for that, till she’s 18.”
Love, even then, required patience.
What keeps you together through life’s ups and downs?
Mona: “You know there was a passion in our marriage, always. There was a chemistry between us. And that passion we have held between then and now. We still share the same laughter and we still share the same sorrows, joys, companionship, travelling.”
Shared joy. Shared sorrow. Shared life.
One advice for new couples?
Mona: “You do what is best by your standards. Your partners does his best. Between both of you, you meet midway and contribute equally.”
Love is partnership.
Is Valentine’s still special?
Mona: “In our times, we didn’t know Valentine’s Day but when you are walking hand in hand with your partner, everyday is valentines.”
What is your favourite thing about each other?
Mona: “His look still appeal to me. Hi character is flawless. What more can I ask for.”
Ballabh: “She is the one who is popular. She has a lot of friends. She organises our social events.”
What irks you about each other?
Mona: “I would want him to spend more time with me. Unhealthy foods. He shouldn’t offer unhealthy food to the children.”
Even after 56 years, love still includes gentle complaints.
What does love mean to you?
Mona: “Love is just accepting each other for whatever they are. Loving them for it. And being a bit selfless.”
Love Across Decades
From a newly married couple discovering their rhythm, to partners who have walked together for over half a century — love evolves, but it never fades. It deepens. It strengthens. It shines brighter with time.
This Valentine’s Day, Zariin’s Love Across Decades campaign celebrates love in all its forms — new, seasoned, imperfect, passionate, loyal, and chosen every single day.
Whether you are at the beginning of your forever or decades into your journey, love is about walking hand in hand — through good times and bad — and choosing each other, again and again.
Because some stories begin with a spark.
And some stories prove that the spark can last a lifetime.
