Two women talking - the courage to choose

Two women talking.

The younger one, bright-eyed and newly married, radiates joy. Her eyes sparkle as she describes the journey that led her here: more than a decade of dating, still living with her parents in her conservative, religious country, where “dating” truly means getting to know each other - patiently, intentionally, and always with respect for tradition. In her world, marriage is not simply a milestone; it is a lifelong commitment. Divorce is not an option; it’s not even legal. Decisions around marriage are made with care, gravity, and a deep sense of responsibility.

She speaks about the long years of anticipation - balancing family expectations, personal dreams, and the slow unfolding of trust. Every step is deliberate, slow, meaningful. Her wedding day, she says, felt like the culmination of a dream that had taken root years before.

“It’s real now. A dream come true,” she says, her voice carrying both relief and wonder, as if she’s still getting used to the sound of it.

Yet, even in her happiness, there is a quiet awareness that there is still so much unknown.

“And I’m still learning my new husband,” she adds, her smile softening, with a sense of vulnerability. “After all this time, it’s like we’re meeting each other again, in a totally new way.”

Across from her sits the other woman, relaxed but her gaze thoughtful. She’s on a different journey - she just finalized her divorce. The decision was made gradually, over time, through hours long walks and sleepless nights, considering million pieces of this puzzle of life, with care, thoughtfully, deliberately. She knows the pain it caused, but also the necessity. In her culture, divorce is possible, though never easy. She speaks quietly about the process: the gradual realization that change was needed, the pain, and the clarity that slowly emerged - a sense of relief that came from finally finally facing reality and being honest with herself.

The contrast between their experiences could not be any more tangible. While one of them had been growing closer to her soon-to-be husband, in a parallel story the other was drifting away from her soon-to-be ex. Yet, what unfolds today is not a debate or a comparison, but a true, open, honest, deep exchange. There is no judgment, no advice-giving, no “I know it better”, no urge to “fix” or persuade. Instead, genuine curiosity - two women talking, discussing marriage and divorce, sharing their stories, listening deeply, and learning from each other.

They speak about love, commitment, dreams, and the courage it takes to honor both tradition and personal truth. There is laughter, a few tears, and an unspoken understanding that life rarely fits into neat boxes.

What is your story that you can share today? - Maybe you don’t even know yet. What’s obvious to you, might be new and eye opening to others. We are all different, shaped by culture, traditions, personal values, or just the realities of our lives, and each of us is navigating our own path. Cultural differences and personal decisions can seem like barriers, but I truly believe that they’re opportunities to expand our perspective. We all carry stories, dreams, scars and fragility, and a unique path that belongs to us alone.

And in the end, our stories, though different, are all threads in the same tapestry of human experience. Let’s embrace it together.