It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage
If opposites attract, similarities help you bind together. Entrepreneur Samantha Rodricks and banker husband Arthur Ignatius understand this only too well-given that even after seven years of marriage, the conversation continues to flow seamlessly. Their five-year-old son Jared completes the happy picture
What stands out about the Samantha-Arthur equation is its sheer comfort and effortlessness. Sure, they’re both social people-but they are just as happy all by themselves-simply talking with a little drink in hand at the end of a hectic day that entails balancing home, work pressures along with the upbringing of their little boy. “I think it is precisely this shared sense of bonhomie that continues to define us even after seven years of marriage,” says Samantha. Simply put, romance is an exciting aspect of any relationship, but at the end of the day, what matters is how easily you can speak to each other.
This love story began in 2008 with a weekend Karaoke session in one of Pune’s happening restaurants where Arthur happened to be singing. “My friends and I were hanging out at the joint and were completely floored by his voice,” reminisces Samantha. “We got talking, after all, we had several friends in common, but still it would be a year before we would seriously get to know each other. He was working in Mumbai at that point of time, and I did not know that he was a Pune person just like me,” she says. Besides, they were both busy with their respective careers. He with his banking and she with her boutique for fashion apparel. “We finally bumped into each other in church and that’s when we really hit it off,” she says.
It helped that despite the seemingly opposite demean our both had lots in common. “We are both social, and enjoy meeting up with new people,” says Arthur. Besides, he sang beautifully and danced gracefully apart from being a keen sportsman. “This went down really well with my dad-considering that neither my brother nor I are into sports,” grins Samantha.
In fact, both Samantha’s dad and Arthur hit it off from the word go. “I had invited him for the first time to my home for my dad’s birthday, in 2009s. Normally dad wasn’t the one to be very nice to any of my male friends, but this was not the case with Arthur luckily-who in his typical, informal way came home with a bottle of beer. Dad took to him instantly. They laughed and chatted together, played cards and generally liked each other,” she shared.
That’s when they both got to know that both families went back a long way: from shared Goan roots to the fathers knowing each other to even her cousins being well acquainted with Arthur given his sporting achievements. “Somewhere along the way it emerged that he was 3 years younger to me. But honestly, it wasn’t a big deal at all,” says Samantha.
They finally got married in a traditional church ceremony in 2011.
The happy family at an event“Though I have a degree in hotel management, from the very outset, my heart lay in my family owned business,” she says. “I found the designing of outfits—especially bridal wear, for which we were best known, hugely rewarding and creative,” she says—which explains why despite having worked as a real estate agent, she chose to finally take up customization and supplying of garments to various designers and stores as her vocation. “Entrepreneurship is a mixed bag,” she says, “you have ups and downs and yet you are in it because it is so much fun. Luckily for me, Arthur has been hugely supportive, despite the pressures of his banking job.” An MBA in imports-exports and marketing, he is currently working with Yes Bank as Assistant Vice President and Zonal Head for Pune.
As of now, life is hectic but happy even as their little world revolves around their five year old son Jared. “We are a nuclear set up but I have support from friends and family. Besides, having my own business affords me a flexibility that a full-time job never would. I work when he’s away but make it a point to be there for my son when he’s home,” says Samantha.
“I am the easy-going parent, while Samantha’s the strict one,” smiles Arthur. After his long hours at work, when at home, he would prefer to indulge Jared—within limits of course.
“Over and above all else, what is important for us is that he enjoy what he is doing, with all his heart,” he says.
So be it Jared’s love of Lego (he has always been great at solving puzzles way above his age group) or his inherent understanding of color and aesthetics (thanks to Samantha), the supportive parents let him follow his heart.
Nevertheless, mom is particular about grades and his overall discipline. “It is good for children to respect some things in life for their own good,” says Samantha.
Besides this, Arthur encourages Jared to play whatever sport where and when possible. “He may not be naturally inclined towards them, but that’s not the point of participation. Sports teach you character, sportsmanship and the importance of team work. Great life lessons all,” he says.
“You need a mix of both understanding and space, in a marriage. Sure, each one deserves their space but the camaraderie between your partner and you decides the course of everything else”
- Samantha Rodricks
5 year old Jared is their bundle of joyArthur points out that while trust is the foundation of all else, it is important to have due confidence in each other’s decisions, as per the demands of the situation. “For instance, the financial decisions of the home rest with me because that’s my forte, but when it comes to fashion or real estate matters, it’s Samantha who knows best,” he says.
Treating one’s partner equally and with due consideration is non-negotiable too, he adds. “It is also a good idea not to tie ourselves up in watertight compartments with regard to gender defined roles,” believes Arthur. “One must be flexible enough to change with the times.”
On her part, Samantha would go with a balance between understanding and space. “You need a mix of both in a marriage. Sure, each one deserves their space but the camaraderie between your partner and you decides the course of everything else. I am so blessed that Arthur is this rock-solid anchor for me,” she says.
Romance and its fripperies notwithstanding, both believe the ability to make each other smile is a precious gift-not to be taken lightly. “Arthur has always had this great sense of humor and he can make me laugh no matter what the situation. Oh, and we can talk all night long-without running out of things to say to each other,” she rounds off.
By Kalyani SardesAi
