Reply #48: sorry I'm late!

[southlandshari]

Southlandshari here, married 11 years to a man I had to travel halfway around the world to find and once I did I knew there way no way I'd ever let him go! He's a Palestinian, raised in Jersualem, and we met there when I was working for an international NGO. We have one child, a five-year-old daughter, and are contemplating having one more, but the jury is still out!

Our relationship works for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest factors in our success - I believe - is the fact that I lived in his country, spoke his language and knew his family and friends very well before we got married. There were no surprises for me later on in our life together. I know not everyone can go and live abroad for a while just to have a litmus test for marraige, but anything you can do to get to know who a potential spouse is and where they come from is incredibly important when considering a marraige that will cross national, cultural, racial and/or religious boundaries.

Before I met my husband, I dated both black and white men. I am very excited about this forum and learning and sharing with all of you! I'm also happy to engage in private discussions with anyone involved with a Middle Eastern and/or Muslim man - it is not for the faint of heart!