Dream 20

Get engaged

My engagement story

I got engaged 4 months after my sisters wedding. Who knew that both of us would have a partner almost at the same time. I remember when we were young, lying on our beds, fantasizing about our prince charming. And God had planned for us both to say our vows in 2017. We shared the same year, but not the same story.

When people ask about how me and my husband met, we look at each other and by the language of eyes, we decide to tell them the fake or the real story. Depending on who’s asking.

Now bring your popcorn and your favourite snacks because the real story goes something like this:

“It’s the 27th of July. The sun is shining and the weather is beautiful. A typical summer in Sweden. I just finished work as a consultant in an underwear store. I’m packing my stuff and checking my phone which I always do at the end of my shift. I have a message on WhatsApp. It says:

“Peace be upon you” *in arabic*

(I’m not surprised at all. Dad told me the night before that a guy would contact me and dad gave us the permission to start talking)

I respond “Peace be upon you too”

“This is Moutaz Al Traboulsi”

“Well hello there Moutaz”

“How are you Rafif? I hope you’re doing fine Insha allah”

My first reaction? Well he spelled Inshallah wrong! We started talking and I was sitting on the train on my way home. Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days and days turned into weeks.

We talked for a long while and I fell in love with his humour and honesty. I loved the fact that we shared the same values and we had similar thoughts about life. And I absolutely loved that we shared the same view when it comes to marriage. He felt like an old friend whom I’ve known for so long. But there were still a little problem. We hadn’t met yet. 

We decided to meet. And the day he entered my house I did as follow:

  • Checked his shoe size (his shoes were so elegant by the way)
  • Checked the size of his jacket. Smelled it. His perfume was amaaaaazing.
  • I checked the pockets too, and I saw a cute little box. OMG! He brought the rings!
  • Received a photo from my sister of him sitting on the sofa. (She took the picture through the door knob)

When I finally walked in to meet him I was like “Hey, this guy is cute! And he’s got a great taste in clothes” He gave me a bouquet of flowers, a BIG chocolate box and a gift box with perfumes.

We got engaged the same evening.

Funniest moment?

We went to an indian restaurant and I ate so much I got a food coma. He cracked so many jokes that day and I laughed so hard that I couldn’t walk properly on the way back home. He was holding me and I was walking like an alcoholic with tears in my eyes from all the laughing.

Saddest moment?

We had a fight the night before he came over to meet me 🙁

Hardest moment?

Him being in Germany and me being in Sweden. Hardest thing ever! Long distance relationships are the worst.

Coziest moment?

The weather was beautiful, we drove to a restaurant far from home. We decided for take away and to eat at a park. The moment we got our food and drove away, searching for the park, we witnessed the worst rain fall ever. We were very hungry so we parked the car on the side of the road, hoping we don’t get a parking fine, and started eating in silence like two starving human beings. The sound of the rain tapping on the windows were so cozy.

Confession

Now let me tell you something. I did everything I always said I will never do in my entire life.

  1. To marry a syrian guy
  2. To get married the traditional way. (someone recommend someone to someone and someone gets to know someone and someone marries someone)
  3. Get engaged the same day I meet the guy!

My dream scenario was to fall in love with a guy, like the movies you know, love at first sight and then get married. But that was not the case.

How to know he’s MR.Right

Well, the truth is that you will never know. Sometimes we fall in love with the wrong person, sometimes with the right one. And sometimes other people’s fears don’t give us the chance to get to know someone. But I’ll give you just ONE advice. Well actually TWO.

  1. Don’t, and I repeat with capital letters, DON’T listen to anyone. You are the one getting married. You and only you decide if you want to move on or not. Don’t allow other people to project their feelings on you, such as fear.
  2. Follow your heart, but don’t forget your brain. Easier said than done, I know. And most important, follow your gut feeling.

Pray Istikhara and talk only to God, he knows what is best for you. And when he is the one, you will feel it 😉