As we head towards the wedding I thought I would repost this story of Ben and Fattima’s romance!
2008
He continued with his lecture on marriage and travel until tears hung in the creases of her eyelids. No decent man would allow his daughter to travel unaccompanied, not even for educational purposes. Her tiny silhouette stood in the form of a young woman, unfortunately the feisty and willful girl who had roamed the compound streets was no longer visible. Tears slowly dripped down her cheeks and onto wistful lips that had once been playful. She struggled to eat meals and found every excuse to avoid food that seemed distasteful and at times repulsive. As an infant and toddler her weight had been low much like her oldest brother and was eventually chalked up to family genes and the transition from breastfeeding to solid food. But now a slow decline was obviously due to lack of appetite and low caloric intake. Visits to the ER were made when stomach pain and distress could not be controlled at home and this continued well into her twenties. The connection between stress, anxiety and mealtime had not been made while still in a state of frozen survival.
A raise in his voice became evident as he circled back to the topic of marriage,when he handed over his duties to a husband it would be up to him, but until then the answer was still squarely no. She would not be allowed to travel with her grandparents to Paris, it was out of the question. Her older sister had been tricked into taking this trip and there was no going back but he could still shield her from this fate. He finished by reminding her that she was not just any girl and a man of upstanding character, wealth and reputable familial lineage would be the only acceptable suitor. A silent laugh and grin emanated from curved lips as he shook his head back and forth.
2018
One last glance in the mirror produced a perfect figure but one that she was not accustomed to. In recent months bits and pieces, curves and a more voluptuous appearance had emerged leaving her both confused and frustrated. The dress fit nicely around her waist but somehow what had seemed delicate and flattering now stood as questionable. It was costly and she could not imagine spending so much for a garment that would be worn only once. A parade of dresses back and forth from dressing room to pedestal where she stood examining every detail were followed by discussion and finally a phone call to her betrothed. She giggled and smiled through a wisp of golden tinged hair until the conversation came to an end. There was no mistaking his feelings, it was up to her and she should be happy. The perfect ring of her choosing, a new home and now a dream wedding were all in her hands. It was clear that the past had faded and was no match for the sincerity of his blue and flawless eyes.
Happy ending
Foof did get to travel with her sister and grandparents to Paris and then to the United States! A deal of sorts was struck, that they would agree to cover their hair and abide by certain rules and we were able to make it happen. They got to see Paris, stayed at my childhood home in the woods with my parents, played in the snow and went with their brothers to the Oregon coast! They were gone for two months!!
Sometimes insisting on power means the opposite happens: the power disappears. So glad there’s a fairy tale ending to this story that begins with tears and grieving!
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Thanks so much Pam!
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Your children are who they are because of the strong woman who raised them. God bless you Lynn!!! ❤️💐❤️
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Thank you sweet Alice!
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I am so thankful that it has all worked out for you and your beautiful children 💜💜💜💜
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Thanks dear sister xoxo
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💜💜💜💜💜
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So happy to read a happy ending to this particular chapter.
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Thanks Bernadette!
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That mindset of his, just makes me mad! Sorry I can’t help it Lynn.
Leslie
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Thanks for reading Leslie xo
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🙂
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What an amazing chapter! Getting 2 months to be with her grandparents and experience another world. I know she and you are so grateful for a much happier ending. Celebrating life and an upcoming wedding and marriage. xoxo
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Thanks so much. I am so very grateful xoxo
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What a deeply moving happy ending. How profoundly moving this must be for you, Lynn! Seeing your child struggle with her health and worrying about her and seeing her today! A mother heart cries from gratitude.
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It really makes me happy that she is now happy and calm xx
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And I am sure we cannot even imagine how happy you are 💖
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I am so happy Erika 😀😀
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😃💖
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Love the ending! So happy for them!
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Thank you dear Joy xo
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Your children know for sure what a wonderful strong woman they have as a mother. I love this tale of happiness.
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Thank you so much!
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How wonderfully you wove this tale. I say again what a gifted writer you are. So glad for the happy ending. Such conflict. Such torment. Such agony for her to go through. Will you all ever be free? Keep striving. Keep teaching your kids real love and freedom. Xo ❤️
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Sending so much love and support Lynn!!
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Thank you dear Jodi xoxoxo
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Her fiancé is madly in love with her. I think that nothing -and no one – could have kept fate from uniting these two. In that moment you describe, how I wish she could have known this future.
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You are so right! Your son is an amazing human being and we are so blessed to have him. I never thought that this day would come!!
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Do your children still abide or practice your former husband’s religion?
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I love happy endings. 💗
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Me too x ❤️
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I’m so glad that she got to go to Paris and then the U.S.! Sweet photos, Lynn!! xoxoxox
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Thank you PJ xoxoxo
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Love conquers all.
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Yes!!!
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Wishing you and your family all the happiness now and always! May you keep finding joy everyday till you live. 🌸
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Thank you so kind!
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Another happy turn of events for your family. I wish you many more.
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Thank you so much!!
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I love this happy ending! 🙂
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Me too!!!
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Congratulations! For so many wonderful things in her life.
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Thank you!
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You are welcome! 🙂
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xxx
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[…] https://lynzrealcooking.com/2018/05/18/no-match/ […]
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I love to hear that this all worked out for Foof – I bet it is still one of her favorite times of her life.
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yes!
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Wonderful Post with a happy ending. Great!
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Thanks Gary! Hope you are well
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She is glowing, I am so happy that she was able to leave that part of her life behind and move on. They are adorable together, you can see the love flow from one to the other. I love it when the fairy tale happens. My X used to make my daughter eat a banana (which she hated) if she wanted to go out with her friends, and if she wanted to stay out longer he made her eat 2. He really was an ass. I have since apologized to her for putting her through all the Bs power tripping her did. She said its okay, she like bananas now. LOL Congrats for the up and coming nuptials… what fun!!
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haha your daughter is awesome Kat and so are you! Thanks so much xo
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I’m so glad she got to travel ten years ago and is now on an adventure of love with her dreams come true. ❤
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I am too! she deserves every happiness
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Im so pleased she was able to go to Paris xx….also love happy endings….
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me too! thanks
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What a wonderful ending! I’m sure you had something to do with that. 🙂
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Thanks!!! I hope so xo
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This post just makes me beam with pleasure and I am sure your heart is so full at seeing her so happy!! Awesome ending! They both are glowing! 🙂
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Thanks so much Joy!
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You are very welcome Lynn! My heart is just so happy for all of you!
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Your entire family has overcome so much. And to be now so wonderfully full of happy endings! (K)
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I am not sure how it all happened but I understand that your daughter is in the Western World, met a great guy, and is getting married and she chose her own husband and will soon have a home to live in, and possibly a career or a job! Maybe university. Yay, you are a proud mama.
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She already graduated and has been working for the past 3 years! Thank you so much!
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So well done – you, Foof and Ben
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What a wonderful story! xoxoxox
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I love happy endings! This is a most engaging one! Happy family and wedding love!
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Thanks so much!
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