Shoiab and Farahnav are newlyweds whose journey from Afghanistan to the United States is not just about seeking refuge but also about finding a welcoming community in their new home. They arrived through the Special Immigrants Visa (SIV) program following the fall of Kabul.
It was just around this time that Michael and Kate decided to work with LSSNCA to dedicate their wedding registry to a new family resettling in the D.C. metro area. When Michael and Kate learned that their donation went to newlyweds, they were moved and curious to learn more. The couples met at Shaobiab and Farahnav’s apartment and connected over wedding planning, the nuances of being newlyweds, and the ups and downs of adapting to a new life.
“The transition is challenging, but we’re working on it,” Shoiab translated. Shoiab, a civil engineer in Afghanistan, highlighted the challenges of getting a job without a driver’s license. Meanwhile, Farahnav, a law graduate, faces the hurdle of language barriers.
Shoiab shared the challenges of being a newcomer, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability. Kate and Michael expressed gratitude for the chance to meet and support the couple during their transition.
As the evening progressed, the couples shared stories from their weddings, comparing cultural traditions and the significance of the celebration. The couples bonded over the similarities and differences in their journeys to matrimony, finding common ground in the universal themes of love, commitment, and the joyous chaos of wedding planning.
“We had 400 people for our wedding. Our wedding took place after the fall of Kabul, so it was not easy organizing it, but we managed. Weddings are no longer what they used to be. You can’t have music, you can’t have celebrations,” Shoiab shared.
The couples exchanged wedding photos, with Farahnav sharing her much-valued framed photos of her in her four different wedding outfits. Kate browsed through her phone to pull up a few of her own wedding photos to share. “We had 100 people at our wedding. Very close family only and I only had one outfit the whole day,” Kate smiled, reflecting on the amount of effort it must have taken Farahnav to change into different outfits on her wedding day.
As the conversation shifted to Shoiab and Farahnav exploring their new community, Shoiab expressed the couple’s delight in finding Afghan communities in the area, which ensured access to familiar foods. He also expressed his interest in attending a baseball game – something new for him and something he was looking forward to experiencing, and Michael, a baseball fan, extended him an invite.
As the evening drew to a close, Shoiab and Farahnav expressed their gratitude for the furniture and the warmth extended by their newfound friends. Kate and Michael returned the gratitude with their hearts full of appreciation as well.
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