HAPPILY EVER AFTER Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating that four-letter word that makes hearts sing – love. It’s been an exciting month for the Bahrain This Month team, meeting couples across the Kingdom to find out what brought them together. Here are their stories of love and laughter... probably best read with a Valentine’s Day playlist in the background! Adnan & Faye Sharabi 51 years of marriage… and counting! In a heart-warming interview filled with laughter and reminiscing, Faye and Adnan Sharabi recounted the story of their unexpected meeting at the White Earth Lutheran Bible camp in Minnesota, USA, in 1971. Their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different – Adnan, a Palestinian volunteer for a government project named Upward Bound aiding Native American students, and Faye, a South Dakotan of Norwegian and German descent who was working as a lifeguard at the camp. Despite initial cultural misconceptions, their shared values and mutual respect led to a whirlwind romance and marriage the following year in a quaint South Dakota church. The pastor who married them, Paul Larson, remains a friend. Their journey together took them across the United States, from North Dakota to New Jersey, and eventually overseas to Greece before settling in Bahrain through Adnan’s job with the Arab Bank PLC. What was initially intended to be a short stint turned into a 34-year sojourn in the Middle East, where they found a welcoming community and raised their family. When asked the secret of an enduring marriage of soon-to-be 52 years, Adnan says: “The best advice is to agree to whatever she says! In all seriousness, tolerance, understanding and a good sense of humour are imperative.” He added: “We won’t be doing anything special for Valentine’s Day as we don’t need a specific day to celebrate our love, but the ideal scenario is for us to just be together with each other, our children (and now grandchildren!) and take them out to dinner and just appreciate our lives and companionship.” Zainab Akbar and Ali Jawadi A digital connection that flourished into real-life companionship. In a modern tale of love, Zainab and Ali found each other through the digital realm of Instagram. What began as a simple exchange about healthy green juices blossomed into a beautiful relationship filled with culinary adventures and unwavering support. Ali, initially drawn to Zainab’s homemade juices showcased on her prominent page The Food Menu, took the bold step of sliding into her DMs. Their conversations evolved from juice recipes to shared interests and eventually led to them becoming a couple. It was a digital connection that transcended screens and led to real-life companionship. For Ali, marrying a food blogger like Zainab opened up a world of culinary exploration. Previously content with basic fare like grills and shawarma, he found himself embracing a diverse array of cuisines, with sushi becoming a newfound favourite. Not only did he expand his palate, but he also ventured into the world of food blogging himself, joining Zainab on her gastronomic journeys. “In our relationship, respect, communication and understanding is absolutely paramount,” the couple believe. “These elements form the foundation upon which love can truly flourish. We find strength in our unwavering support for each other to be the best versions of ourselves.” Reflecting on their favourite aspects of each other, Ali admires Zainab’s support and kind heart, while Zainab cherishes Ali’s ability to make her laugh and his laid-back approach to life. Their most cherished memory of their relationship is their first trip together to Istanbul, an experience which they hope to relive someday. As in any relationship, arguments do sometimes break out, but the couple have a steadfast rule to deal with it. “We resolve our disagreements before the day ends,” they state. “This commitment to open communication ensures that no issue is left unresolved or taken into the next day, fostering a deeper connection and strengthening our bond with each passing day.” Valentine’s Day 32 February 2024 Bahrainthismonth.com
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