looking for MENA success stories

[Staashi 371]

Good to see you, Staashi !

We've had some pure Jerry Springer in here for sure. And people wonder why we could be somewhat jaded....

Girl, you know it! I always say that they could make a reality show about this place. The viewership would be off the charts!

[Nasturtium 500]

Hey garden girl ! I totally suck this year on the veggie patch... finally got some tomatoes in last week, a couple of green peppers and eggplants... nothing else yet

Ah well there's still time to boil some okra seeds

Ooo what kind of tomatoes? I'm jealous of your okra too! I'm doing some strawberries and passiflora incarnata...

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Ooo what kind of tomatoes? I'm jealous of your okra too! I'm doing some strawberries and passiflora incarnata...

D'oh I should have known you'd ask that ! Well a couple of heirlooms (Hair Looms!) including some pink stripey ones, also the usual heat setters like Phoenix and Florida... a yellow cherry... there are a few more I grabbed off the display but I buried the tags

[Nasturtium 500]

D'oh I should have known you'd ask that ! Well a couple of heirlooms (Hair Looms!) including some pink stripey ones, also the usual heat setters like Phoenix and Florida... a yellow cherry... there are a few more I grabbed off the display but I buried the tags

ooo sounds fun! If you ever see a yellow marble, you may want to try it! I had really good luck with its heat set.

[Cathi 5,748]

Girl, you know it! I always say that they could make a reality show about this place. The viewership would be off the charts!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Girl, you know it! I always say that they could make a reality show about this place. The viewership would be off the charts!

This could extend to honorary MENA members who participate here. Be careful what you wish for.

[Cathi 5,748]

I absolutely adore my husband and our marriage. We met in 2008 and have been married for over a year now and nothing has changed him or his way of thinking since his arrival here in the USA. Having a age difference of 15 years has never been an issue in our relationship and I don't sit around thinking about the what ifs all day. I will say this however, I do believe that men from MENA countries who practice their religion faithfully seem to have a better grasp on marriage and relationships as to those men who say they practice their religion and then drink, go to bars, hang out late hours of the night with the buddies, and then during the religious month of Ramadan they pray and fast all day. This just amazes me to this day to see men of Islam act like this and then they try to brain wash the wives that it's okay if they do this as this is the true way of Islam. Women are so naive when it comes to Islam as I was too when I first met Mohammed. I actually never knew anything about Islam. Only until after my first visit to Morocco, I started seeing a whole new world and a new religion. I guess you could say I had a "Ahhh" moment when I witness not only Mohammed praying but all the other thousands of muslims praying every day and some five times a day. It was then, I saw a whole different person then what I saw online. Online, I spoke with a sweet and caring person and we just chatted about every day life. However when we met in person, I saw a man who was passionate about God and his family. My husband came from such a loving home and watching him interact with this mother and the way he respected her and helped her around the home was just an eye opener for me. There were days when his grandmother was so weak to walk that Mohammed would carry her up 5 flights of stairs with no hesitation at all. I left Morocco with a sense of love and respect from not only his family but those I met on the streets as well.

I can say that the four years we have been together have just been amazing. My husband is a wonderful family man, and enjoys just being home with me and spending quality time together. I tried to make his move here painless and easy but honestly, I didn't have to do much. He adjusted so well and life for him here is great. He just got his green card in April, and got a job and is working very hard and long hours and he still manages to come home with a smile on his face and a hug and kiss for me. His new boss was very compassionate and offered him a 2 hour lunch on Fridays so that he could go to the Mosque and pray which was extremely nice on her behalf if I must say.

I have read on here where someone said " wait until 5 years go by and then" but honestly, there is no difference if I was 25 years old, he could still go and find anyone if he truly wanted too what is going to stop him or even more what is going to stop me from wanting someone else???? This is life..... No couple can see into the future as to the what ifs, but I can tell you one thing, we are making a great life together on this day and are looking forward to many more wonderful and loving years together.

Now on that note; gonna gently crawl into bed and rest my head on his chest and gently wake him up..... this brings the sweetest smile to his face and I get a greattttttttttttttttt big hug.

His parents and family did a wonderful job raising him, I see much of the same in my husband. He is very passionate about Islam and his family. Even when we chat online he will stop to pray. In the 2 years I have known him he has never once missed Friday Mosque. When I go to visit it it amazes me how tight knit his family is, I am from a family that isn't very close. His respect for his Mom and Dad and his family only makes me love him more. When I'm there and I see how he interacts with his family and the way they each play a specific role in the dynamic of the family. He is from a family of 8 children, he being the second youngest. A lot of families in the US have lost family values, including people in my own. When i was there in March his Dad needed unexpected heart surgery and the family, immediate and extended rallied around him like I have never seen a family do. For them family comes first and foremost no matter what. They have welcomed me into their family from the moment they knew about me, long before I even arrived the first time.

I don't know how the transition for him once he arrives here will be, but I will do my best to make it as easy as I can for him. My kids are so looking forward to having him here and finally getting to meet him in real and spending time with him.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, everyone knows that. I was married once before to a man who wouldn't give me the time of day, we were miserably married from day one. I don't regret marrying him because he gave me 2 kind, compassionate, responsible boys. My elder son has done an amazing job of taking on the task of being the"man" of the house. And my younger son is equally as amazing.

I know I'm going to hear all the lollipops and rainbows comments...feel free to say what you want people. I know who I am and I know the commitment my husband and I have to each other and to those important people in our lives. Hopefully soon his visa will be approved and we can FINALLY be together.

Now I'm off to do some work in my own garden. Time to get those veggies planted.

Thanks for sharing

[Peace.... 281]

His parents and family did a wonderful job raising him, I see much of the same in my husband. He is very passionate about Islam and his family. Even when we chat online he will stop to pray. In the 2 years I have known him he has never once missed Friday Mosque. When I go to visit it it amazes me how tight knit his family is, I am from a family that isn't very close. His respect for his Mom and Dad and his family only makes me love him more. When I'm there and I see how he interacts with his family and the way they each play a specific role in the dynamic of the family. He is from a family of 8 children, he being the second youngest. A lot of families in the US have lost family values, including people in my own. When i was there in March his Dad needed unexpected heart surgery and the family, immediate and extended rallied around him like I have never seen a family do. For them family comes first and foremost no matter what. They have welcomed me into their family from the moment they knew about me, long before I even arrived the first time.

I don't know how the transition for him once he arrives here will be, but I will do my best to make it as easy as I can for him. My kids are so looking forward to having him here and finally getting to meet him in real and spending time with him.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, everyone knows that. I was married once before to a man who wouldn't give me the time of day, we were miserably married from day one. I don't regret marrying him because he gave me 2 kind, compassionate, responsible boys. My elder son has done an amazing job of taking on the task of being the"man" of the house. And my younger son is equally as amazing.

I know I'm going to hear all the lollipops and rainbows comments...feel free to say what you want people. I know who I am and I know the commitment my husband and I have to each other and to those important people in our lives. Hopefully soon his visa will be approved and we can FINALLY be together.

Now I'm off to do some work in my own garden. Time to get those veggies planted.

Thanks for sharing

I am sure things will work out just fine for you both since you will be there with him on his interview day. I sure hope the CO's will give you the opportunity to interview as well so as they can see your love for your husband as they did with me. I felt so much relief after speaking with the CO about our relationship. I think the transition will go smoothly, the food is some times an issue for some, Mohammed found he likes mexican a lot and some other things. I learned how to cook the majority of foods he loves from back home. Tonight, I am preparing him lamb kabobs on the grill with a Moroccan rice salad and his favorite home made bread. Call me little suzy home maker LOL, but I do enjoy making him happy in all ways hmmmmmmm as he does me LOL. Guess that's a perk some of these women forget to mention about younger men LOLOLLOLLLLLLLLLL if ya know what I mean

Well I too have to plant some veggies this week. Growing some bell peppers, parsley, hot peppers, lots of tomato's as we go thru so many tomatoes with tajines in this house. I started growing mint a while back as we use it for his moroccan tea.

Take care and talk soon.

[zahrasalem 114]

His parents and family did a wonderful job raising him, I see much of the same in my husband. He is very passionate about Islam and his family. Even when we chat online he will stop to pray. In the 2 years I have known him he has never once missed Friday Mosque. When I go to visit it it amazes me how tight knit his family is, I am from a family that isn't very close. His respect for his Mom and Dad and his family only makes me love him more. When I'm there and I see how he interacts with his family and the way they each play a specific role in the dynamic of the family. He is from a family of 8 children, he being the second youngest. A lot of families in the US have lost family values, including people in my own. When i was there in March his Dad needed unexpected heart surgery and the family, immediate and extended rallied around him like I have never seen a family do. For them family comes first and foremost no matter what. They have welcomed me into their family from the moment they knew about me, long before I even arrived the first time.

I don't know how the transition for him once he arrives here will be, but I will do my best to make it as easy as I can for him. My kids are so looking forward to having him here and finally getting to meet him in real and spending time with him.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, everyone knows that. I was married once before to a man who wouldn't give me the time of day, we were miserably married from day one. I don't regret marrying him because he gave me 2 kind, compassionate, responsible boys. My elder son has done an amazing job of taking on the task of being the"man" of the house. And my younger son is equally as amazing.

I know I'm going to hear all the lollipops and rainbows comments...feel free to say what you want people. I know who I am and I know the commitment my husband and I have to each other and to those important people in our lives. Hopefully soon his visa will be approved and we can FINALLY be together.

Now I'm off to do some work in my own garden. Time to get those veggies planted.

Thanks for sharing

I am sure things will work out just fine for you both since you will be there with him on his interview day. I sure hope the CO's will give you the opportunity to interview as well so as they can see your love for your husband as they did with me. I felt so much relief after speaking with the CO about our relationship. I think the transition will go smoothly, the food is some times an issue for some, Mohammed found he likes mexican a lot and some other things. I learned how to cook the majority of foods he loves from back home. Tonight, I am preparing him lamb kabobs on the grill with a Moroccan rice salad and his favorite home made bread. Call me little suzy home maker LOL, but I do enjoy making him happy in all ways hmmmmmmm as he does me LOL. Guess that's a perk some of these women forget to mention about younger men LOLOLLOLLLLLLLLLL if ya know what I mean

Well I too have to plant some veggies this week. Growing some bell peppers, parsley, hot peppers, lots of tomato's as we go thru so many tomatoes with tajines in this house. I started growing mint a while back as we use it for his moroccan tea.

Take care and talk soon.

I can relate to both of you Mimolicious and foreverwaiting(even though our age difference isn't much).......both of your husband's sound so much like mine....family is first and everyday he shows me and tells me he loves me in so many ways. He's very open and affectionate like me, we are very close emotionally, physically and know we both know how lucky we are to recognize that we found the right person in each other. He's always pleasant and happy to be around, even after a hard days work.

We didn't "settle" for each other in any way and we do not have any issues with each other. Of course, I wish he could stop smoking, but I know it's very hard. We get along so well in every situation, and if we do have an arguement, we never go to sleep mad and he's always the first to try to make up.

Some may say that we haven't been married 5 years yet, so I can't possibly know what I'm talking about, but I know myself and my husband and our relationship, they don't. Those people don't beleive that it's possible for two people to be genuinely happy with each other and love each other, not pick fights with each other, not be jerks to each other and not annoy the hell out of each other every other day. I thank God I have a wonderful husband.

Just because we have great husbands and great relationships with them, doesn't mean we have rose colored glasses on or have our head in the clouds. Actually, it's just the opposite...since we are a little older now, we have learned our past lessons in relationships and have learned to choose wisely .

Enjoy your husbands and your life together

Edited April 29, 2012 by zahrasalem

[tany1157 161]

I describe myself (and many others that know me) as a realist, with a positive outlook, and am overall very happy with life. In general, why does it seem when people have a positive outlook, they are looked upon as naive? I'm not considered a naive person, and know the challenges that are ahead for my marriage. I will be honest, I am filled with more anxiety about his arrival than happiness right now, but I know, when I see him at the airport, I will realize he is the same man that I've been in love with for almost 4 years. I personally think my husband will adjust well, but you never know. Maybe this is why my marriage is loved and accepted by all who know me...because they know my opinionated, in-your-face personality probably wouldn't sit well with a manipulating scammer out to screw me over, and that my husband loves these traits, as they make me who I am.

My husband doesn't smoke, drink, and is a practicing Muslim. He has been the breadwinner for his family since he was 21, and has been the "dad" ever since, because of his father's ailing health, and then his death almost 2 years ago. His respect for women is exceptional, and the way he treats me, his mom, grand mom, my mother and sisters is amazing. He is respected in his community, and is very hard working. He had been using our long immigration wait to further his studies, and has a list of what he wants to accomplish when he first gets here, and in our future. We look forward to building our life together, and having children. I know things may not all go as planned, but one thing I know about my husband, is that he is a man of his word. We have a great respect for each other, and I know he will continue to be a good husband and man once he gets here. Can you imagine, with his one job, he can support his family of 5, and live comfortably in Morocco. Here, at minimum, we will both have to work just to be able to support 3, never mind the extra amenities. He owns a house with a business underneath. I know my life would have been a bit more comfortable if I was able to move there with him, it just wasn't an option. I know of a few couples who don't post here anymore, that have had their husbands here over 2 years, and things are still going well. Maybe that is not long enough to call a success story, but I'm thinking they are on their way.

In the end, we all have a life to live, and we all learn from our mistakes, and try to make the best choices with what we know. Everyone here started at the same starting line, just at different times. I think that some forget that. I hope to never forget how it felt to be the newbie, and not knowing a thing about immigration, and how it felt to be denied, twice, and the feeling that just maybe, I would never be able to live with my husband in America. Yes, people get on each other's nerves, that is life. You won't get along with everyone. I also think that things get taken the wrong way a lot more often on message boards than they would in person. In the end, even though things get catty sometimes, most of the women here have great advice. I may not like someone, but if they make a good point, I'm with them.

On a side note, my husband is a very private person. He believes in the evil eye. Some people, for no reason, may just not like you, and will wish you harm or bad luck. I remember people telling me that my husband probably had a life I didn't know about, or some other secrets and that was why we got denied twice. In the end, it was just the fact that we moved fast, and they couldn't believe there was true love there. We proved them wrong. In all that time, we just grew stronger, and I love him more now than I ever did. As they say, the visa process is a piece of cake compared to the adjustment phase....if this is true for everyone, then I guess we are in for hell on earth

Edited April 29, 2012 by tany1157

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

Ladies, I totally agree with your comments. Me n my husband pretty much are the same. We re devoted to each other and we spend our time loving on each other. We went thru too much to sit round thinking of the what ifs in life. I have never met man so wonderful, strong, passionate, loving, and protective s my husband is. From the moment we got engaged he has taken very good care of me. He is the provider and I take care of him and his needs wants and desires. I m not ashamed of that he is my greatest love. I have a dual degree in communications and english. Yet I choose to stay home and take care of my home and family. Even right now he is working. You can bet when he gets home I will be here smiling and hugging him and telling him how much I missed him while he was at work. The house will be clean, I will be smelling and looking fabulous. This doesn't men I m not a strong woman it means when it comes to my love I am soft and gentle. It is just the little things we do for one another. My husband works hard for us, so why shouldn't I show him my appreciation and love and respect? What I m saying I guess is that it is ok to enjoy being head over heels in love. Why is it ok for american couples that wed to have the blissful happy honeymoon period yet for us with foreign husbands God forbid we walk round with our heads in the clouds in love? We are said to be naive, no no no thank you sisters, I m not going to be made to feel bad for loving my husband with all that I have. So you shouldn't either. Enjoy your love and passion for each other. This world is so messed up so when we find love and happiness we should thank God and go bout living our lives in bliss. BTW.... I LOVE LOLLIPOPS N RAINBOWS N GUMDROPS N THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL LOOKING THRU MY ROSE COLORED GLaSSES FROM UP HERE IN THE CLOUDS. I also love being Suzy homemaker, it is where I m happiest and feel the most content. Now I m going to go jump in our pool at our home that my husband works so hard for us to have and enjoy.

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

Sorry bout the typos my dang gone "a" button seems to be giving me a difficult time today. LOL

[Cathi 5,748]

Ladies, I totally agree with your comments. Me n my husband pretty much are the same. We re devoted to each other and we spend our time loving on each other. We went thru too much to sit round thinking of the what ifs in life. I have never met man so wonderful, strong, passionate, loving, and protective s my husband is. From the moment we got engaged he has taken very good care of me. He is the provider and I take care of him and his needs wants and desires. I m not ashamed of that he is my greatest love. I have a dual degree in communications and english. Yet I choose to stay home and take care of my home and family. Even right now he is working. You can bet when he gets home I will be here smiling and hugging him and telling him how much I missed him while he was at work. The house will be clean, I will be smelling and looking fabulous. This doesn't men I m not a strong woman it means when it comes to my love I am soft and gentle. It is just the little things we do for one another. My husband works hard for us, so why shouldn't I show him my appreciation and love and respect? What I m saying I guess is that it is ok to enjoy being head over heels in love. Why is it ok for american couples that wed to have the blissful happy honeymoon period yet for us with foreign husbands God forbid we walk round with our heads in the clouds in love? We are said to be naive, no no no thank you sisters, I m not going to be made to feel bad for loving my husband with all that I have. So you shouldn't either. Enjoy your love and passion for each other. This world is so messed up so when we find love and happiness we should thank God and go bout living our lives in bliss. BTW.... I LOVE LOLLIPOPS N RAINBOWS N GUMDROPS N THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL LOOKING THRU MY ROSE COLORED GLaSSES FROM UP HERE IN THE CLOUDS. I also love being Suzy homemaker, it is where I m happiest and feel the most content. Now I m going to go jump in our pool at our home that my husband works so hard for us to have and enjoy.

[Cathi 5,748]

AMEN!!!! well said and I totally agree. Enjoy your honeymoon phase, enjoy the rest of your lives!!!. I am totally head over heels in love with my husband and I can't wait for the day he sets foot on American soil. I am not ashamed in the least bit to let anyone know how much I love him, or how much he loves me.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I'm pretty sure most of the veterans here fully expect newlyweds, or couples who have been living in separate countries for months or even years after getting married, to be gushy. Most of us felt gushy, too.

And most of the veterans here expect that most MENA couples will make it through the first few years together after the MENA guy's arrival in the U.S. - for sure through the 10-year card and often through citizenship. A few couples will hit the skids before that, but most will make it that far.

So if that's all it takes to be considered a "success story," then we have plenty of them here.

Edited April 29, 2012 by wife_of_mahmoud