Celebrate our Marriage

I first saw her on a sunny, breezy day at Wilson Park in June 2022. I had just finished a volleyball game, and honestly, I wasn’t looking for anything beyond a good match and a few laughs with friends. But then, there she was—fit, stunning, and, to my surprise, an absolute pro at kicking the ball. I couldn’t help but stare. Could she be a Latin girl? I wondered. My mind started racing: Should I talk to her? Can I even be her friend? And then, the twist that changed everything—she spoke Arabic! My jaw almost dropped. In that moment, I missed the ball, lost a point, and for the first time, I didn’t care about the game. I had just met someone who could be a part of my life in ways I hadn’t expected. We exchanged introductions, but I wasn’t sure what would come next. The chemistry was undeniable, but she had a guard up, and I respected that. By 8 PM, she was on her way home—no late-night volleyball for her, apparently! Two weeks passed before I saw her again at the park, but this time, I knew I couldn’t let the chance slip away. We played another game, then walked back together. I invited her to join me and my friends for the Bentonville fireworks show on July 4th. She gave me her number without hesitation, and that was the start of something real. As we texted, I knew I was falling for her, but she was cautious, guarding her heart. I wasn’t going to give up, though. I was sure about one thing—she was worth it. When I went to Egypt, our conversations turned into something more meaningful. The distance couldn’t break us. I knew I loved her, and after months of patience and persistence, I finally told her. To my relief, she said it back: I love you too. I kept my promise to her. Despite the challenges, I returned, ready to build a future together. Leaving my plans behind and coming back for her was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. Now, I’m here, in this beautiful new chapter, because of her. She is my queen, my angel, the reason my heart is full. And no matter what life brings, we’re going to face it together, hand in hand. I love you more than words, and I’m lucky to call you mine.

How We Met: A Love Story That Spiked Into Our Lives In the summer of 2022, love found me when I least expected it. I wasn’t looking for romance—far from it! My days were consumed by a whirlwind of assignments in Literacy Intervention with Dr. Ralston. The grind was real: lesson plans due by 4 PM, materials prepped for the next day’s teaching, rinse, and repeat. It was intense, so to clear my mind, I started heading to Wilson Park to play sand volleyball with friends after submissions. June 16th—a date I’ll never forget. I showed up as usual, ready for a game, but among the crowd that day, there he was. Ahmed. He instantly caught my eye, though I tried (and probably failed) not to make it obvious. At the end of the game, our eyes met, and something clicked—a spark, a glimpse of something big. Now, here’s the funny part: at first glance, I thought he was from Mexico. My brain was spinning with thoughts: He’s so charming… could I really fall for him? What about cultural and religious differences? Could this even work? But then, plot twist—Ahmed spoke Arabic! I was stunned. As a Kurdish woman, I realized our cultures were closer than I initially thought. But still, I wasn’t going to make it easy for him! We exchanged introductions, but I kept my guard up. By 8 PM, I had to head back to my apartment (because being out after dark wasn’t my thing). And then, life got busy—I didn’t make it back to volleyball for two weeks. Fast forward to July 1st. I finally returned to the park, and guess who was there? Ahmed! After the game, we walked back together, and he invited me to join him and his friends for the Bentonville fireworks show on July 4th. He asked for my number, and—well, let’s just say I didn’t hesitate to give it to him! We started texting and hanging out, but at first, we were just friends. Then he returned to Egypt, and our conversations turned into something deeper. Months passed, and one day, Ahmed admitted he was in love with me. It took me a while to accept my own feelings—love doesn’t always come easy when you’re guarding your heart—but eventually, I said the words he’d been waiting to hear: I love you too. After a long-distance relationship filled with patience, persistence, and countless messages across time zones, Ahmed kept his promise. He came back. And now, here we are, building a beautiful life together. Ahmed, you are the most special and unique person I’ve ever met. Thank you for finding me when I didn’t even know I was looking for you. I love you sooooooo much!