I Have A New Name!!!

 The trip back to the Sunshine State has had a few surprises for us but I'll get into that a bit later. 

 We have rented four vacation homes connected by a winding path. It is at an undisclosed location near the I-4 corridor. The "bridal party's" house is a bit crowded. Moe and Stacy (acting mom and dad), Aunt Meghan (Maid of honor) and her girl friend, Pawpaw, Memaw, and I. 

 The boss rented a house too. He is sheltering the officiants; the Imam for the other religious ceremony in the morning and Officer Mike (the cop who saved my life) who is performing the civil ceremony on Sunday. The civil ceremony is the legal one. It will take place in a theme park in the area. Lets just say "I'm a princess bitch!" 

 The groom's party takes up the other two houses. I love our big family.

 The first surprise was graduation. I SCREWED UP! It turns out I am gonna miss out on the walk for my chemistry degree. That one is Friday night and NOT concurrent with the school of Engineering graduation. Oh well, I still earned the degree.

 Our next surprise was on the wedding front. The second marriage ceremony is in the morning just after sunrise, two days early. Mohsen's Imam had a family emergency so it was either move the event up or scrap this part.

 Stacy and Mama had a henna party for me Wednesday night. My hands and feet look so pretty. All of us look like we are wearing delicate brown lace gloves, EVEN Memaw. Mama gave me something at the henna party, a beautiful (not overly feminine) headscarf and veil. The scarf matched the pattern on my hands. 

 I had just stopped gushing when she gave me a green velvet box "Your king sends this..." It was a delicate platinum kokoshnik style tiara set with tiny diamonds and emeralds. It looks like a crescent moon all by itself. I am not saying it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen but there were tears involved. Mama showed me the proper way to wear it with the headscarf. I'll be, "I GUESS I AM A PRINCESS!"

 The "legal" civil marriage license is done. So technically in the eyes of Florida we are married once we sign on Sunday. Had to jump through a ton of legal hurdles but we are ready. I have chosen to take HIS family name. 

 About the name change, to solve certain issues back home, Zahir will adopt me (ok that part is creepy but this way I can be his somewhat openly). Looking forward to the day when the whole world recognizes LOVE IS LOVE. Until that day, he is all about keeping me safe. 


 Headed out to dinner at the lodge.


 SOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!


Chase 


 ****Update 12/13/2019****

 The second faith ceremony (the Nikah) is complete. I just woke up from a nap. Poor Zahir is still sleeping off his "bachelor's party." My poor baby was up all night with his brothers, two of my uncles from Paducah, Mohsen and Mike. The boss and Pawpaw played chess until early in the morning on the front porch. 

 The Imam chuckled as the groom's party shuffled (there may have been a momentary stagger or two) up the path to the bridal house. Sarah (my uncle's wife) said it reminded her of an opening to a zombie movie. 

 Zahir and I were dressed in almost matching white and gold silk suits with high collars. The only skin exposed was Zahir's face and my eyes. I couldn't help notice the golden embroidery on my jacket matched my scarf and henna markings. It seams Z's Mama put a lot of thought into my attire.

 The groom's party met mine in the gazebo behind the bridal home. I was shocked at the sheer number of well wishers and witnesses. Many of our clients were there to witness the signing of the Nikaahnama (wedding contract). Zahir kissed my cheek three times and my forehead once during the ceremony. Afterwards we walked the path to the groom's house and Mama said a blessing over me as she held the Quran over my head. "Now you are MY baby too..." I have a real Momma again.

 My uncle Mark surprised me with a check at dinner. "This isn't our gift to you two, it is just a bit of overdue business." He has been managing the property my grandparents had set aside for my Momma and I when I was born. When they thought I died with Momma he took over ownership. He gave me a check for the current value of the property. 

 Mark's wife Sarah is a portrait painter. She gave me a portrait of my mother holding me as a baby. Yes, tears flowed! I swear I could feel Momma here today. We are having a reception on Sunday after the "legal" ceremony. The next hurdle is commencement tomorrow.

I damn near fell over when Zahir showed me the deposit of my "bride price" in my OTHER bank account. Some brides use the money to complete their education, set up the home (like he has EVER said no to a purchase), some start businesses with it. I have no clue what to do with it. I have never had to handle money.