Bahrain This Month - February 2024

Bahrainthismonth.com February 2024 33 Jaap & Wendy Vaandrager A couple that never goes to sleep angry. Jaap and Wendy Vaandrager are long-term residents of Bahrain and were initially introduced to each other by a mutual friend who thought they would be perfect for each other. He was right! In May, they will celebrate 28 years of marriage. “All the important events in our married life have taken place in Bahrain,” says the happy couple. “We got married in Bahrain in St Christopher’s Cathedral, all of our children were born in Bahrain and went to school here. This beautiful island has been very good to us and we are so grateful that we were able to raise a family here. We are from the same area in the Netherlands, but this will always be our second home.” One piece of advice Jaap and Wendy want to share with young couples is: never go to sleep angry! They believe it is so important to be able to have fun together and to laugh together, and if there are issues, sort them out as quickly as possible. This year, the couple will celebrate Valentine’s Day with their children in New Orleans, US. Mohammed Al Osaimi & Lisa Daniels Their first date on Valentine’s Day was the start of a beautiful relationship. In the heart of the Gulf, where love knows no borders, Lisa from the UK and Mohammed from Saudi Arabia have crafted a tale as vibrant as the region they call home. The duo’s serendipitous encounter unfolded at an InterNations gathering – a social soiree that set the stage for their whirlwind romance. Swapping numbers led to a delightful twist of fate as their first date materialised on Valentine’s Day, adding a touch of romance to the saga. Pampering and buttering each other up proved pivotal, resonating with the free-spirited essence of their surroundings in the open and easy-going Gulf. Navigating cultural nuances, the duo chuckled about the unconventional choice of ditching plates and utensils, a culinary quirk bridged by understanding and acceptance. On a more profound level, Lisa confronted prejudices about the Middle East, illustrating the power of education in breaking down barriers. As an Arab man with a British partner, Muhammad found humour in the surprised faces they encountered, especially from Arab women. Jokingly claiming Lisa as his cousin, they weathered the quirks of marriage, including a comical question during a medical examination about potential relatedness. Their advice to budding couples: “Set clear expectations, be patient, go with the flow, and above all, be kind to each other.” Reflecting on their upcoming 9th anniversary since that fateful Valentine’s Day, the duo confessed to lacking concrete plans – an annual ritual where Lisa orchestrates, and Muhammad foots the bill. Love, laughter, and a dash of unpredictability define their remarkable journey through the Gulf’s cultural mosaic. Valentine’s Day

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