Lift and Carry Story | New Year Eve

The New Year’s Strength Showdown

It was New Year’s Eve, and I had just finished setting up the living room for our small gathering. My daughter, Tara, had planned a party for her friends and their moms, an idea I thought was quite wholesome. The guest list included Tara’s closest friends, all of whom were tall, confident young women, and their equally lively mothers.

I, Ananya, am 46 years old and stand at 5'7" (170 cm), weighing about 68 kg (150 lbs). In my day, my height was a rare feature among Indian women, but Tara, now 22, had outdone me. She stood at 5'10" (178 cm) and weighed about 78 kg (172 lbs)—a towering, athletic young woman with an infectious energy that always drew people in.

The guests began arriving around 8 PM. Tara’s best friends were a sight to behold:

• Meera, 5'9" (175 cm) and 76 kg (167 lbs), was strong and confident, with a background in martial arts. Her mom, Sunita, at 5'8" (173 cm) and 74 kg (163 lbs), carried herself with the grace of someone who used to be a competitive swimmer.
• Sanya, 5'10" (178 cm) and 80 kg (176 lbs), had a broad, athletic frame from years of volleyball. Her mom, Lata, was a little shorter at 5'6" (168 cm) and 72 kg (158 lbs), but she had a fit, active demeanor from her daily yoga practice.
• Ishita, 5'11" (180 cm) and 82 kg (180 lbs), was the tallest of the group, with a lean but muscular build from her love of hiking. Her mom, Neelam, stood at 5'9" (175 cm) and weighed 70 kg (154 lbs), her elegant frame exuding strength and poise.

The evening started with games, music, and snacks, but as the clock approached 11 PM, the energy shifted.

“I have an idea!” Tara said, clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s test our strength with a lift-carry challenge!”

The room buzzed with excitement. The moms looked at each other, amused but intrigued.

“Who’s first?” Tara asked, scanning the group.

“You’re the tallest and strongest, Tara,” Meera said with a grin. “Show us how it’s done.”

Tara turned to me, her eyes twinkling. “Mom, may I?”

I laughed nervously but nodded. “Alright, but be careful!”

Tara stepped behind me, placed her hands securely around my waist, and, with a quick motion, lifted me clean off the ground. At 68 kg, I wasn’t exactly light, but she handled it with ease, twirling me slightly for good measure.

“Wow, Mom, you’re lighter than I thought!” Tara teased, setting me down gently.

Next up was Meera, who decided to lift her mom, Sunita. With her martial arts training, Meera crouched, wrapped her arms around Sunita’s thighs, and hoisted her into a fireman’s carry. At 74 kg, Sunita wasn’t small, but Meera’s strength made it look effortless.

The room cheered as Sanya took her turn, lifting me in a bridal carry with a playful laugh. “This is too much fun!” she exclaimed. “You’re the best, Aunty and you are like a baby in my arms!” Sanya said, giving me a quick kiss before gently setting me down.

Not to be left out, Ishita stepped forward to lift Lata, wrapping her long arms securely around her and lifting her in a bear hug.

The laughter and cheering grew louder as the moms joined in.

“I used to carry you around as a baby, Meera,” Sunita said, “but let’s see if I can still lift you now!”

To everyone’s delight, Sunita bent her knees, wrapped her arms around Meera’s waist, and managed to lift her 76 kg frame a few inches off the ground. Meera laughed in surprise, planting a kiss on her mom’s cheek.

Neelam, with her graceful strength, surprised everyone by lifting Ishita in a bridal carry. At 82 kg, Ishita was the heaviest of the group, but Neelam’s yoga-toned arms held steady.

The grand finale came when Tara and Ishita decided to team up and lift me and Lata together. The room erupted in laughter and applause as they hoisted us side by side, proving their combined strength.

As the night drew to a close, the hugs became more heartfelt. Tara hugged Meera and lifted her briefly, spinning her around as they giggled. Sanya hugged Ishita and lifted her in a playful bear hug, laughing so hard they nearly toppled over.

As the clock struck midnight, we all gathered for the countdown, our cheeks flushed with laughter and exhilaration.

“Happy New Year!” we shouted, hugging and clinking glasses.

When it was time to say goodbye, each farewell hug turned into another lifting moment. I hugged Tara’s friends one by one, and each of them, in their youthful exuberance, gave me a quick lift off the ground as we laughed and exchanged cheek kisses.

Tara hugged her friends tightly, lifting each of them in turn as they said their goodbyes. “This has been the best New Year’s ever,” she said, her face glowing with joy.

By the end of the night, the room was filled with warmth and love, the echoes of laughter and playful lifting still lingering in the air. As we moms and daughters hugged one last time, lifting each other off the ground in jubilant farewells, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the bonds we shared.

This New Year’s celebration wasn’t just about the party—it was about connection, strength, and the love that held us all together.

The night had turned into an unexpected celebration of strength, laughter, and connection. As I looked around the room at the glowing faces of daughters and mothers, I couldn’t imagine a better way to start the year.