Meet Majed, Nouf, & Abdulrahman from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Meet Majed (father), Nouf (mother), and Abdulrahman (eldest son) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia In the heart of Jeddah, where the call to prayer rises with the sea breeze and ancient trade winds still whisper stories of the past lives a family lineage steeped in tradition, resilience, and love. A love that was not born at first sight, but one that grew like the date palms of their homeland, strong and steady over time. The family gathered recently in New York City, thousands of miles from the warm coasts of the Red Sea, to celebrate a remarkable milestone. Huda, their middle daughter, has earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the prestigious Columbia University. The journey that brought them to this day, began thirty two years ago as Majed boarded a flight from Jeddah to Riyadh. He was nervous about blending two different families from two different cultures. In Saudi Arabia, tradition and family honor the pillars of society, such meetings are not merely about two people—they are about two families intertwining. Jeddah and Riyadh, though bound by the same flag, are shaped by vastly different landscapes—one coastal and bustling, the other perched on the arid Najd Plateau, pulsing with the rhythm of the capital.

Majed remembered that day vividly. he said, “I met her grandmother first, then her mother. I fell in love with them both before I even saw her. That’s when I knew everything was going to be okay.” When he finally laid eyes on Nouf, he was sure. “I wanted to marry her—not just because she’s the most beautiful woman in the world, but because I could see our families becoming one.”

For Nouf, the moment wasn’t as instant. “I wasn’t attracted to him,” she admitted. “I was scared. I told my mother, and she told me, ‘Looks fade. What matters is how he treats you.’” She decided to give him a chance. Over time, that chance turned into a deep, enduring love. “People often mistake me for being younger than I am,” Nouf laughed. “I’m nearly fifty.” Majed grinned and replied, “That’s because she has a good husband and she is happy. Happiness is the fountain of youth.” Majed comes from a long line of lawyers—his grandfather, his father, and now two of his children, Abdulrahman and Nada, have followed in those footsteps. Even Huda, the scholar they have come to celebrate, married a lawyer. Law, for this family, isn’t just a career. It’s a calling, a commitment to justice and truth that has shaped their identity for generations. Abdulrahman, the eldest, watched his parents with admiration. “They are a beautiful example to the world,” he said. “One day, I hope to find a love as pure as theirs. My father is a leader and a protector. Following in his footsteps will be no easy task.” (Yes ladies, he’s 29 and still single, just in case you’re wondering.)

For Majed and Nouf, the values they’ve passed down to their children are simple, but profound. They said, “Kindness is reciprocal. When you give it, it comes back to you.” Even more than that, they believe in the journey. “It doesn’t matter how long the journey takes. It’s the destination that matters most. It’s about spending time with those you love, and gathering happiness along the way.” As the interview wrapped up, Abdulraman could be seen waving across the Schoharie Valley to his family, watching the front lawn of Howe Caverns from the window of their Airbnb. Thank you so much for visiting!