It's fun and easy to look back at these four years and say that we have been blessed and God has been faithful to us. We have build and wonderful relationship with each other and with our in-laws.
But four years ago, when Conrad and I just met, and fell in love quite fast, we have seen a lot of doubt in those around us, sometimes bluntly expressed, sometimes more subtle. We understood your fears and step by step tried to build your faith in our good faith.
The moment I stared dating Conrad and talked with him, I decided to e-mail his parents, to politely introduce myself and let them know me. I had nothing to hide, but lots of joy and dreams to share with them. I was also eager to learn more about who they were. Sometimes it felt awkward, and we had to choose our words carefully because we had only written words to recommend us. There is so much room for interpretation this way. But we always assumed positive intent.
They have welcomed me with open hearts and arms.
My best friend told me that she will understand and be by my side if I decide to cancel the wedding. It was rather fast how we decided to get married.
On a different note, my parents had to get used to the idea that their only daughter is very likely moving across the world from them… and that was not easy either.
This union was received with reserved joy and understandable suspicion (as we learned later on).
Months later we moved to California as a married couple. The journey wasn't over yet. We still had years to prove ourselves. But words are useless in such circumstances. We just had to keep steady on our course and make the best of our journey.
We had a rough financial start, struggling to make ends meet, and quite a series of job changes and worries.
But we never lost sight of what was important, and trusted that God will be our guide and protector.
It's been four years now, of living in both worlds, and never giving up. And all we did is put our faith in God, even when everything else was shaking, and never say words that we might regret later on, no matter how entitled and justified we might have felt at the time to say. Conrad is my best friend and companion. We serve each other, the best we know how. And love flourishes every day. :)
