As-salaam Alaykum lovelies,
I'm starting this topic so I may get some advice from both Emirati women and expats alike and also apologize for the length of this post. It's my first post and I want to give you ladies some background information.
I have been in a serious (nonsexual-long distance) relationship for 4 years with my habibi Khalid. He told me this morning that he has finally talked to his family about our relationship (which is something I've secretly wants for some time but I understand some of the traditions and rules of the UAE and I respect his choice to wait). His mother passed away when he was young but his father, all of his brothers (whom are all married with large families) along with their wives and children were all in attendance when he told them. He says they were all very happy and excited to hear that he and I want to get married, and the fact that I'm American didn't bother them at all. As far as I know, I would be the first expat in the family, and their openness and welcoming attitude caught me off guard due to some of the traditional belief shared by many "pure (as some people call them) Emiratis" that Emirati men shouldn't marry expats.
Khalid is "bachelor" (never been married and no children) and recently turned 38 and considered the "black sheep" of his family. He never wanted or considered getting married before we met. I think his family had given up hope that he'd get married, and he was also blown away by the excitement his family has shown since he told them.
I've been married and divorced (my choice) and I've also been considered the black sheep in the family, or at least on my fathers side. Though I've no legal record, I still carry some baggage into our relationship that his family has also excepted along with me. (Side note; I'm a Seventh Day Adventist which is one of the many branches of Christianity for those who don't know what an SDA is. But I'm also very open minded about other religions and traditions and I believe everyone should be allowed to practice their believes, so much so that I even participated in Ramadan this year so I may gain some understanding and perspective as to what I will be marrying into.) I'm already bilingual but I'm learning Arabic as well so I may communicate better with those in the UAE
I plan to go to the UAE within the next year to meet his family, to get to know them and I want to make an impression, I was wondering if any of you ladies could tell me what I can do to show his family that I really want to make this relationship work and to put my best foot forward. I know many men greet each other by touching noses but I don't know what would be appropriate for me to do when I meet his family the first time. I also need advice as to where I can shop for Emirati style abayas and hijabs because that's what I plan to wear outside while I'm in Abu Dhabi. Preferably a place with a website so I can buy some things from the US to wear when I fly over to Abu Dhabi.
Thank you for taking time to read my post.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cassandra
PS. I haven't asked him any of these questions because I want to surprise him and show him how much he and his family mean to me
PPS. Please don't respond if you're just going to insult our relationship or try to discourage me for being with him. I spend 3 of our 4 year relationship trying to defend our love from trolls and naysayers and it has gotten really old. I hear that enough from people in my country when they find out I'm in a long term, long distance relationship with someone from the Middle East.
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