A touching letter written 41 years ago by a young man seeking his future father-in-law’s permission to marry the woman he loved has recently gone viral on Reddit, winning hearts across generations. Posted by user u/Rich-Arrival-1427 on the subreddit r/indiasocial, the letter has sparked admiration for its emotional depth and cultural sensitivity.
The post, titled “My father’s love letter to my grandfather asking for my mom’s hand in marriage”, contains a heartfelt message from 1984. At the time, the writer was a 30-year-old government employee who had been in a six-year relationship with his college classmate. It took another three years before they finally married—navigating family expectations and cultural traditions along the way.
A Language of Love and Respect
The letter opens with “Jai Johar”, a traditional tribal greeting used in states like Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The most striking aspect? It was written entirely in the mother’s native language, one that the father had learned specifically for her. He expressed his commitment, noted his stable government job, and respectfully sought her father’s approval for their union.
Found 41-year-old letter written by my dad to my maternal grandfather seeking his permission for a love marriage🤣
byu/Rich-Arrival-1427 inindiasocial
Now in their 70s and living in different cities Delhi and Raipur, the couple recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Reddit Reacts With Emotion
The post quickly gained momentum with over 5,000 upvotes and hundreds of heartfelt comments. One user wrote, “I now have immense respect for your dad,” while another called the letter simply “adorable.” Many found humor in the practicality of love, noting that the mention of a “secure government job” may have tipped the scales in his favor.
The original poster confirmed that the grandfather responded surprisingly positively at a time when love marriages were rare, offering a progressive twist to a story deeply rooted in tradition.
In an era dominated by texts and reels, this rediscovered handwritten letter proves that genuine love and respect, expressed with thoughtfulness still hold timeless power.
