I Asked Her To Marry Me

by HijabMan :: posted 4 October 09

Six months ago

After a 30-hour plane journey ending at midnight, I enter an empty apartment in a country I’ve never been. Inside I find a welcome note, a bus ticket, a cell phone, a subway pass, a toothbrush, a towel, and vegetable soup in the fridge.

Despite my general dislike for soup. The soup is exactly what I need. The vegetables are perfectly cut and perfectly cooked.

I feel sexier than James Bond.

Two months ago

I’m with the female tenant of that same apartment, and her child. We’ve just come from a day out and our bags are heavy. The child decides to have a tantrum, and within seconds, I hold all of the bags and enable mom to discipline/restrain her child.

“I’m supposed to be here.” I think to myself.

Two weeks ago

She’s in my apartment. I’m making her baked tandoori chicken and a salad with fresh mozzarella. She likes it, though says it may be a bit on the spicy side.

One week ago

We’re in Tyler State Park, on a foot-bridge crossing a stream. She’s feeling kind of ill, but humors me, and lets me take her ‘hiking’ for the last hour of sunlight. I have a ring in my pocket, and am praying that I don’t drop it in the water.

“Hey, look! There’s a deer!” (Real smooth, I know).
“Umm, I’m not looking. There is no deer, Hijabman.” She says with a smile.

She humors me again and turns around so I can get on one knee.
She turns back around and listens as I propose, and responds with a “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you!”

I suddenly realize there is a jogger standing behind me, waiting to pass.

“Congratulations! Sorry for interrupting, at least you have a witness now!”

A little less than a week ago

We’re dancing in my parents’ house with flower necklaces on, surrounded by family. It’s time to eat cake.

Two days ago

I’m giving her a hug before she steps through security and gets pulled aside for a random bag check. See you soon, cantik-al!

Book Suggestion For Couples

Susan Piver’s “The Hard Questions”

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1. RM at 4 October 09 :: #

   This is the cutest thing and that’s one of the few times I’ve seen an engagement ring and LOVED it. You are coaching whatever I end up marrying. Congrats, Hijabi(s)!

2. Denish at 4 October 09 :: #

   I am so happy for you Hijabman! This is truly sweet:)

3. Susan at 4 October 09 :: #

   Oooh! Congratulations!!

4. Khadijah at 4 October 09 :: #

   Awww, that’s so sweet! Congrats to you and your new wife!

5. yasmine at 4 October 09 :: #

   i love all the mini-stories =)

   am so, so happy for you two. i mean, three. =) may you all be a source of joy for one another, always. inshaAllah, and ameen.

   california sends you three hugs and SMASHING HIGHFIVES and much love.

6. Safia at 4 October 09 :: #

   beautifully written! so happy for you! :)

7. yusuf at 4 October 09 :: #

   Salam Brother.

   If I may, I have a request:

   I’m writing to inform you of my brother’s gallery opening next Thursday in
   New York City. His name is Omar Mullick and he’s from Brooklyn, New York.
   He’s a photojournalist and has been documenting the lives of American
   Muslims throughout the States for the last 7 years and will be having his
   first gallery opening next Thursday, October 8th, from 6PM to 9PM.

   I’m sure you are in touch with people in the East Coast and was
   hoping that you can share his work with friends and family regardless of
   whether or not one can attend the opening.

   The gallery website along with a statement can be found here:
   http://www.galleryfcb.com/mullick.html
   http://www.galleryfcb.com/

   Moreover, Bassam Tariq, of 30mosques.com fame, has written a short piece
   about him here and has briefly interviewed him. Hopefully this will
   address any of your questions or concerns:

   http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/02/an-interview-with-om.html

   http://www.boingboing.net/2009/09/29/cant-take-it-with-yo.html

   I encourage you to make any comments on the respective blog posts.

   And if interested, there has been a Facebook Event setup for those who can
   attend:
   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141731708316&ref=mf

   And don’t forget about the FacebookTwitterMyspaceEtc combo!

   I look forward to your feedback and if you have any questions, please feel
   free to email me or my brother, Omar (omarmullick.com).

   PEACE

   Yusuf Mullick

8. wayfarer at 4 October 09 :: #

   aw, so sweet mashAllah. Very happy for you.

9. Anjum at 4 October 09 :: #

   nice way of sharing the story =) congrats, hijabman!!

10. yaser at 4 October 09 :: #

    congratulations to you both =)

11. atikah at 5 October 09 :: #

    this is amazing. you two give me hope! :) hahaha. congratulations!!

12. Shawna at 5 October 09 :: #

    masha’Allah! congrats! REad her post too and loved it. :)

13. Jawad at 5 October 09 :: #

    Everything here is perfect. You, your partner, the beautiful relationship. Angels are dancing in heaven with garlands made of flowers and ten rupee notes. So I send many blessing, and one question: WHAT“S WRONG WITH SOUP??!!

14. Christine at 5 October 09 :: #

    Mashallah! Congratulations, HijabMan!!! I’ve been following your blog for several years, now. I’ve always been so happy to know that there are bright, compassionate, and thinking young men still on this earth… and now I am THRILLED that you have found yourself a worthy partner. I’ve been married now for over five years, and it is a wonderful thing. Joy and blessings to you both!

15. passing at 8 October 09 :: #

    ROFLMAO @ “Congratulations! Sorry for interrupting, at least you have a witness now!”

    congratulations!