Our Story

It was love at first sight.”

That’s how many tales about love begin, but not ours.

Musaad and I first met at FIU. He was a new student and I was "the" new teacher. On the first week of the summer term, he walked into my classroom, stopped dramatically and loudly said to me, “Teacher, you are beautiful.”

He was a beginner in English and had been practicing that phrase with his friend Abdul. He thought it was funny. I thought it was childish. That day, I decided to hate him. I shot stern looks at him around campus until he began to understand that his so-called compliment had embarrassed me.

One week later during a coffee break, we were both standing in line at Starbucks. He offered to buy me a latte. Although I was secretly weak for the dimples, I declined his offer. He insisted until I eventually accepted. That day, I still didn’t like him. But I did appreciate the Starbuck’s coffee along with the apology that followed.

A few months later (during the Islamic month of Ramadan), a sister, Ola, invited me to iftar (breakfast). Ola was a good friend of mine and her husband, Abdulrahman, was as good friend of Musaad.

That night, I learned that Musaad was the official neighborhood chef. During the month of Ramadan, he had cooked iftar meals for an entire neighborhood of fasting Muslims. That night, I learned that Musaad is very generous and that he cherishes the strong bonds of family—brotherhood and sisterhood—that is central to Islam. That night, I loved him as a brother and did what any good sister would do: I sent him a pint of Rocky Road ice-cream as a nod of friendship.

As all good things, we can say it all began with a pint of Rocky Road--but most importantly, it began on thoughtfulness.

The next evening, Musaad reciprocated and sent me a crystal-studded black scarf. During the last ten nights of Ramadan, we each felt our generosity challenged and had our mutual friends deliver sweets--dates, mamoul, chocolates-- to one another.

It is true that Musaad's first pick-up lines were #FAIL, but I discovered the light sense of humor that I've been seeking. It is also true that Musaad and I don't always understand each other's Englishes, but we communicate more meaningfully through silence and lots of laughter. It simply makes sense to us.

Musaad and I met in the summer of 2011. Our story isn't long, but it is simple. It also grows more deeply as we work to keep strong faith in the guidance of God.

The Quran states that a husband and wife are like clothing to one another (2:187). Through love and companionship, we pray to cloak one another with the finest garments that will provide comfort, preservation, beauty and light to our lives.