2.05.2007

I have news...

Max bought an engagement ring recent weeks with the hope of offering it to me in the future. When? We've decided that it's important to meet each other families before becoming engaged, not because we need our parents' approval, but because it feels like the decent and respectful thing to do.

Meeting Max's family won't be as easy as picking up the phone and heading over with a bucket of KFC. They live in Cairo, Egypt. As I type these words I wonder whether KFC is even a dining option there--not that the absence of Colonel Sanders is, in itself, a negative. Truth be told, I'm more of a Pharaoh's Pizza sort of girl anyway. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the obvious joke.)

Max left for Egypt yesterday--his first trip to see his family in two years. This trip will also provide the first opportunity for him to tell his family about the American girlfriend. Hallmark doesn't make a card for this sort of announcement, so Max decided it was best to tell them in person. My being American won't necessarily be a negative to his family. However the fact that I come from a Christina tradition, have multiple ex-husbands, and am almost past childbearing years may more than even these most moderate of Muslims will be able to handle.

We shall see...

Max is optimistic, and has already booked our tickets to travel to Egypt for late summer. I am both excited and nervous about the prospects. Of course, this all means I have to reciprocate by telling my family about Max--and after this conversation the Middle East might seem like a peaceful place in comparison.

Stay tuned folks. It's gonna get interesting.

6 comments:

running42k said...

Welcome back, congrats and good luck. Sounds like there will be some interesting conversations soon.

Junie B said...

what the HELL?? you stay gone forever, and then come back and drop this bomb??? :o) :o)

i cant wait to hear all about it...

Just a trumpet player said...

You are a strong and independant women ; you can do this.

In the mean time ; where should I send that bottle of vodka ? Looks like you're gonna need some...

Dan-E said...

hey, you're alive!

kenju said...

I hope that Muslims stay moderate when they hear about you.

AmyB said...

Well, might I just say "Almost Congratulations!!", then? Ha!

As for meeting the families, they always go better than we think they will, mostly because for some reason allow ourselves to conjure up the most horrific visions of how it COULD go, and that pretty much leaves a lot of room for improvement. Not sure what the deal is with your family and why they might not accept Max, but my guess is once they see how damn happy you are, that won't really matter.

GOOD LUCK, and CONGRATS! :o)