Family is not something you can buy in a marketplace; it is a gift from God, something beautiful that not everyone is blessed with. Those who have it sometimes take it for granted, forgetting its true value.

Hello everyone, and thank you for reading this blog. I’m Kritika Sharma, a software engineer at LTIMindtree. Today, I want to share the story of my friends, Payal and Rohan, who once embraced the “DINK” lifestyle—Double Income, No Kids—and how their perspective evolved over time, ultimately leading them to a life-changing decision.

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The Beginning

Payal and Rohan are my colleagues and part of our close-knit group of six friends in a team of twenty. Having worked together for years, we know each other well and often arrange get-togethers, dinners, and even pajama parties.

In 2020, just before COVID, Payal and Rohan fell in love and got married. A year later, they hosted a party to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. We all gathered at their place, where the celebration was lively with food, drinks, music, and dancing. As the night wound down, our casual chat turned to the topic of kids, and someone asked when they planned to start a family. Payal and Rohan laughed and announced they were a “DINK couple.”

Confused, I asked what “DINK” meant. They explained it stands for “Double Income, No Kids.” Shocked, I asked if they were serious.

“Yes, Kritika,” Payal said. “Even before marriage, we decided not to have kids. We want to spend our lives enjoying each other’s company, traveling the world, and building experiences.”

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Diverging Paths

Over time, our lives changed. Many of us got married and had children. Our parties began to center around family-friendly themes—less alcohol, softer music, and children running around. Rohan and Payal, still child-free, started feeling out of place, often sitting quietly while we shared stories about our kids.

Eventually, they started avoiding gatherings altogether, feeling increasingly disconnected from our conversations and our experiences.

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A Change of Heart

One day, Payal came to me looking troubled. “Kritika,” she confided, “I think I want kids now. I feel like there’s something missing in my life, and I’m unsure what to do.”

I offered her a drink and took her to a quiet place where we could talk. As we settled in, she opened up about her decision not to have children. Originally, she had feared the pain of childbirth and the financial costs of raising a child. She also worried that children would prevent her from enjoying her own life. Despite Rohan’s initial desire to have kids, she had convinced him otherwise.

“Now, I feel like I made the wrong decision,” she admitted. “But I’m scared to bring it up with Rohan. We’ve grown used to this lifestyle, and I don’t even know how he’d react.”

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The Conversation

I reassured her, “If Rohan once wanted kids, I’m sure he’d understand how you feel. You should talk to him.”

Eventually, Payal did talk to Rohan, and to her surprise, he was thrilled at the idea. They decided to try for a baby, but after a year of unsuccessful attempts, they grew frustrated. I suggested consulting a gynecologist, who recommended tests. The results revealed some complications—Payal had low egg production, and Rohan had a low sperm count. Saddened, they wished they had considered parenthood earlier.

The doctor suggested IVF treatment, and after a miscarriage in the first attempt, they tried again. With hope and perseverance, they welcomed a healthy baby boy into their lives.

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Reflection

Payal and Rohan’s story teaches us that life is unpredictable, and sometimes decisions made in youth might not align with what we want later. Parenthood is a journey filled with both challenges and blessings, and while the timing is a personal choice, starting a family earlier can provide opportunities to experience life’s many stages together.

Message: If you dream of having a family, consider taking that step sooner rather than later. Children bring a unique joy that adds depth to life, helping us grow in ways we may not anticipate. So, if it’s something you desire, don’t wait too long—embrace the adventure when you’re ready, and let it add meaning and richness to your journey.