Embrace & Celebrate Your Differences!

I recently read an article entitled Foreign Spouse, Happy Life by Lauren Collins. The writer gave us a glimpse into the inner workings of her bi-national marriage.  Her comments struck a chord with me in that my husband, Christian, was born abroad. He had an American mother and a Swedish father, and spent his childhood and early adulthood in Sweden before moving to the U.S. He then moved to Australia and eventually back to the US.

I’m especially grateful he returned to the U.S., because that’s when he met me… 11-+ years ago.  We’ve been married 3 years, and our relationship is growing stronger by the day.  However, there are times when our roads less-traveled together have resulted in different perspectives that can give rise to a discussion as to for instance, why in Sweden, Christmas Eve is a bigger holiday than Christmas Day, or why at a sit-down dinner in Sweden, you will intentionally be separated from your spouse and expected to sit at a table with strangers.  Luckily, I absolutely love Christmas Eve, and at dinner parties, I can easily hold my own with people I’ve never met before. 

Click here for ways to make the most of your multicultural relationship.