I grew up reading books in my solitude. I blame those books that gave this dramatic idea of love. Love doesn’t look like a prince galloping towards his Cinderella on a shining white horse. Instead, he comes unannounced, sometimes uninvited, and then everything changes.

I got engaged (or, as the novels say, got bethroled) in April of 2017. This could not have occurred without my mom’s interference and support. My relationship started in April of 2012. Although this guy and I were from different worlds: financially, socioeconomically, culturally,

I had never been in love before, nor had I dated anyone. It was an emotion I knew about but never felt. Then love happened, and before I knew it, engagement did too! I got engaged, or as the novels say, got betrothed in April of 2017. This could not have happened without my mom’s interference and support. My relationship started in April of 2012. Although my fiance and I were from different worlds: financially, socioeconomically, culturally, and educationally, I knew from early on, I wanted his companionship throughout my life.

He could take care of me. When I weighed against his inability to speak fluent English, his financial status, looks, inferior education, or other social parameters that one weighs their relationships over, he always came out on top. In my condition, I never thought I would get married, or let alone fall in love. And just when I was going to hit my mid-thirties, both happened. I always idealized it, had my own fairy-tale, and when, where, and with who I least expected it happened!

You never fall in love with yourself; love captures you. Love comes to you when you don’t need it, really, and it comes to an end when you need it the most.     

Farah Mustafa