Today is the day that I have been waiting for ever since I was a little girl. Mama always used to read me stories on the Prophet Muhammad, (pbuh) about his marriage to Khadijah (RA). Ever since mama began to tell me stories on their marriage, my love for Prophet Muhammad increased and made made me long for a husband who is going to follow the sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

I had just prayed Tahajjud, I made dua that Allah Swt makes this day go smoothly and that he blesses our marriage. I can't seem to be able to fall back to sleep today after praying Tahajjud and Fajr salah, maybe it's because of the nerves. So I decided to engage in some dhikr. I recited Alhamdulilah in abundance as in Surah Nisaa it states "what would Allah Swt do with your punishment, if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah appreciative and knowing". (This ayah shows that Allah Swt would not punish someone those who are always grateful for the blessings we have been granted.

I remained laying in my bed, I could see the sun rising, subhanallah it was beautiful. The bright orange, yellow and red hues blended together to form a splendid sunrise. I heard a knock on my bedroom door, "come in!!". I shouted, baba walked in and took a seat on my bed. I looked to see him sitting there with tear filled eyes. Baba's eyes held soo much emotion I could feel the lump forming in my throat. "My jaan, I cant believe the day has come where you are no longer my responsibility. And I hand over the responsibility of caring and providing for you to Ayman". I could hear baba's voice cracking I couldn't be strong any longer I let the tears fall freely. I pulled baba into a hug, both of us cried in each other's embrace.

"Baba stop crying, I already feel like an emotional wreck. I don't think you understand how hard it is, for me to just pack away all of my things and get ready to start a new chapter of my life baba. Every time I look over to see all of my things in suitcases it brings tears to my eyes. Inshallah this is will be a positive experience , and we should try not to be soo emotional."

"I know I'm trying hard to not let the emotions, get the best of me but I can't help it. Ok I need to get a grip of myself!!". Baba said to himself. "One thing I know for sure is that, Ayman will treat you like the princess you are. And I know I've said it time and time again but I have full faith in Ayman that he will follow his Islamic duties as a husband. Beta one piece of advice that I'd like to give you is. Always, always remain patient whatever the situation is and just be respectful, care for him and be a shoulder to lean on for Ayman as he will do the same for you. If you follow the advice I have given you, inshallah your time married together will be wonderful!

I went downstairs to see mama cooking. "Beta, hurry up! I've made prantha and omelette quickly eat and then the makeup artist should be here in an hour or so. You need to or the dress on as well before she arrives otherwise, your makeup will get ruined. "Yeah that's fine mama! Let me just enjoy my last breakfast here at home". "I don't think I've come to terms with it yet, it doesn't feel real. Like your getting married today!!". "I'm not going to get teary I'm trying to be strong because I know exactly how you are feeling right now. I know Ayman will treat you right and Inshallah you will settle in nicely with the Haq family!".

The makeup artist had arrived, I wanted the makeup artist to do a dewy and natural sort of look, so that one day when I look back at the wedding photos I don't want to look like a totally different person. She had finished my makeup, it looked absolutely flawless."Thank you soo much, I absolutely love my look!! May Allah swt put barakah in your business". Once she had left I decided to actually put some effort into styling my hair as, when Ayman sees my hair for the first time I don't want him to get scared of the birds nest at the top of my head. I decided to use a curling want and do some loose curls at the bottom of my hair. Normally at home I just leave my hair in a messy bun.

I was finally ready, I had wrapped my hijab and put on my jewellery. Mama came in looking all beautiful! In her Pakistani attire. Mama was crying, "beta you look absolutely beautiful!!". Mama pecked my forehead. I didn't realise I was crying until mama said "Ahlam stop crying!! Your mascara is going to start running, here quickly wipe the tears. Khadijah and Afiyah are downstairs waiting to see you. And we need to be at the mosque within the next twenty minutes".

I quickly checked to see if I had Ayman's present, I hope he likes it! I found out his likes and dislikes through texting Afiyah. He enjoys making memories and taking pictures so I decided to buy him an Fujifilm Instax camera!! I have no experience of walking in heels, I felt like I was going to tumble down the stairs any second. Baba was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. I have never seen baba cry soo much in my whole twenty two years of existence. Once I got to the bottom of the stairs I hugged baba for the millionth time today! "baba i've had enough of seeing you cry! Be happy, your fard as a father is getting complete today". "Oh my lord!! You looking bloody amazing!!". Afiyah squealed. Aminah and Amilah stood there looking beautiful. "oh em gee girl you look beautiful mashallah!!". Both of them complimented. I don't think i've ever got this many compliments before because they're usually just used to seeing me in my plain black abaya and hijab. And at home I lounge around in oversized mens t - shirts and leggings.

"Challo the car is waiting!! From what I have heard from Afiyah, Ayman isn't a really materialistic person soo i'm not really sure, why he's hired out a Rolls Royce just to take us to and from the mosque. The nerves were starting to kick in, my heart was racing!!. I felt like I was about to vomit with the nerves. Baba took hold of my hand and gave it a little squeeze. We had arrived at the mosque and the men and women had been separated with a curtain in the middle of the room. Baba my wali was present as well as mama, Aunty Khadijah and Afiyah. As we were waiting for the imam to arrive. Afiyah handed me what looked like a letter.

I opened the letter to read this:

Dear Ahlam,

Today marks the start of our journey! I have been waiting for this day ever since I was a young boy. It all started when I became aware of the love that is held, in my parents eyes for each other. I vowed from that day, that I was going to find a woman who I would be able to cherish, adore and love exactly the same way.

I promise to be your anchor when Allah Swt tests us, I promise to hold you close when times get tough, I promise to be the best confidant when your seeking advice, I promise to be the light to your darkness. I promise to be the best husband that I could possibly be until our last breaths.

I knew from the moment in the mosque where I caught a slight glimpse of you with Luqman, that you were going to become someone special in my life. It was your shyness, modesty and akhlaq, which intrigued me the most.

Only Allah Swt knows what the future holds for us. But one thing that I know for sure is that I cannot wait, for us to become parents one day inshallah. Your gentle and nurturing personality is what would make you the best role model to our children inshallah. I hope to be the best possible baba, to our children.

This is only the very beginning of our journey, I hope to always keep that beautiful smile on your face. I promise to try my hardest incorporate the sunnah of our prophet Muhammad (pbuh) into our marriage. Within the next hour we will become halal for each other, which means I can finally get a full view of your face without having to lower my gaze!!!

Your soon to be husband,

Ayman

I had to quickly leave the room before everyone saw how much of a mess I was. I had tears running down my face. The letter was soo heart warming! I have never ever received something soo meaningful and touching. I can't wait to see him now!! I can tell the amount of effort and thought he put into the letter. I had finally sorted myself out and cleared away all the tears. As I was making my way back to the ladies side of the mosque. I collided with a firm chest. "oh gosh! i'm soo sorry". I felt hand encircle me to prevent me from falling. I looked up to meet those beautiful, enticing green eyes. He quickly let go of me. "I'm soo sorry for that! I just didn't want you to fall". "No its okay, Inshallah we'll meet in a few". "inshallah!", the excitement in his voice was adorable.

The imam had finally arrived. The minutes past by like a blur and next I hear the imam asking "kabool hai" I replied "kabool hai", this continued a further two times. Next I signed and then all I heard was cheers and Mubarak's all around. I was officially married!! I was pulled in to hugs by everyone. Everyone had left back to where the party was being held. Aminah and Amilah stayed behind to help remove my hijab and make me look presentable. It was silent, Aminah and Amilah had left. I got out my mirror and checked to see if I look okay. Next I heard the curtain shifting. I was sure that he could hear my heart beating on the other side....

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