Ashish Shrestha never planned to fall for someone outside his culture. But love has a way of rewriting plans.
Here’s how his relationship with Kyoko—a Japanese-American baker—taught him about compromise, connection, and the beauty of blending cultures.
From Office Romance to Lifelong Partnership
Ashish met Kyoko at Deloitte. She joined a year after he did, and their shared love of food (and late nights in audit) sparked something more.
“She introduced me to her parents within a week,” Ashish laughs.
“I, on the other hand… waited months to tell mine. Classic Nepali move, right?”
That difference in approach caused some tension early on. Kyoko—raised in the US—didn’t get why he was hesitant. Ashish—raised in Nepal—knew his family might struggle with the idea of him dating outside their culture.
Convincing his parents wasn’t easy. But the turning point came when Kyoko visited Nepal and met Ashish’s grandmother.
“My grandma held Kyoko’s hand and said, ‘She may be Japanese, but she feels like family.’ That moment changed everything.”
Language barriers? Sure. Cultural differences? Plenty. But with time, both families embraced their relationship.
What Ashish Learned About Love
✅ Communication is everything – Different upbringings = different expectations.
✅ Compromise isn’t a loss – It’s how you build a life that fits both cultures.
✅ Connection beats tradition – When people see how happy you are, most barriers fade.
Now, a Life That Blends Cultures
Today, Ashish and Kyoko are raising a daughter who speaks English, Japanese, and Nepali.
“Cross-cultural relationships aren’t always easy. But they’re so worth it.”