Wedding Giveaway: Amena and Chris
AMENA HASSAN AND CHRIS HOBSON
Amena, 33, and Chris, 32, will marry Aug. 9, 2008, in D.C.
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How did you meet?
"When I saw her standing amid a klatch of mutual friends, the ceiling split open and a shining light rained down from above and I knew I'd met my life's great treasure. The moment our eyes met, I knew she'd just laid eyes on some dude in khakis."
How did he propose?
"He proposed to me three times. The first was while I was falling asleep watching a Bollywood flick and the second was in his office when I was complaining about the first. The third time he gave me a piece of costume jewelry." "I only remember proposing once," says Chris. "I didn't have enough money to buy a proper ring, so I decided to get her a promise ring. I went to a super-pretentious store that sold only two types: gaudy and Oh My Gaudy. I'd barely gotten the words out when she burst out laughing."
Describe a time when things were tough, but you stayed together and forged through.
"Dating in general was hard early on. Amena is Muslim and I've never been religious. For the first year, we couldn't hold hands around her parents (the first time we visited, I stayed on the opposite side of the room and admired the ceiling). We certainly couldn't move in together. But today I'm happy to say her father lets me look at her for whole seconds at a time," says Chris. "The main challenge for me has been his love of football," says Amena.
If you had to make a TV show, movie or book into the theme of your wedding, which would you choose and why?
"'Aliens in America,' since the show is about a Pakistani exchange student. We'd like to hold the ceremony at the Textile Museum, which displays an array of rugs from India and Pakistan. My parents worked in textile mills in northern England when they first moved from Pakistan, which makes the venue meaningful to me."
You get to the church on your wedding day and the roof has fallen in. What do you do?
"We'd go to the mosque instead," says Chris. "I'd just tell Chris to clear the rubble and get on with it," says Amena.
Would you rather marry in a lime-green prom ensemble from the 1970s, or include all your exes in the wedding party?
"I'd rather wear a blue sharkskin zoot suit with a poison-ivy boutonniere than have even one of my exes there," says Chris.
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Addison Road
What a great sense of humor. Best Wishes and Congrats!!
By :) , Posted February 15, 2008 9:42 AMIf Amena and Chris just don't win this prize who knows what I'll do! Only kidding. They are both such special people and I love their love story.
By Marlene Gill , Posted February 15, 2008 11:06 AMCongratulations to you both! I wish you well.
By Gia , Posted February 15, 2008 11:13 AMWhat a great sense of humor! Best wishes!
By :) , Posted February 15, 2008 12:42 PMCongratulations Chris and Amena. I hope you two win, after reading the above, I can't think of another couple more deserving. Best wishes to you two.
Aaron Chaffin
By Aaron , Posted February 15, 2008 1:08 PMCongratulations! Really hope the both of you win.
By Paun Edmiston-Withee , Posted February 15, 2008 1:16 PMLovely couple, very funny ! Let's give them the prize for breaking down the barriers of race and religion with wit and humor. They deserve this!
By Kenny K , Posted February 15, 2008 1:43 PMI'd help Chris with the rubble and guilt-trip Amena to help :)
Congrats, much love, and all the best!
By Omar , Posted February 15, 2008 2:15 PMInfinite Heartfelt Congrats to you, Amena & Chris!! :-) You are two very special people who have overcome challenging odds (which would have daunted a lot of other folks) and worked very hard to be together. May God continue to bless both of you with continued growth & understanding! I hope you win! :-)
By Nazish , Posted February 15, 2008 2:20 PMCongratulations Chris and Amena. You will definitely get my vote. I wish the two of you all the best.
By Kimberly Saunders , Posted February 15, 2008 2:21 PMAmena and Chris are two of the sweetest and smartest people I know!
VOTE FOR AMENA AND CHRIS!!!
By Nicole , Posted February 15, 2008 2:26 PMcongrats, ya'll. Great to see another match made at APA!
By Debbie Grant , Posted February 15, 2008 2:47 PMGood Luck Amena & Chris.
By Kadidra McCloud , Posted February 15, 2008 3:04 PMThis is so cute! Congrats you two!! :)
By Nicolle S. , Posted February 15, 2008 3:48 PMGood luck Amena and Chris--you two sound like a great couple with great senses of humour! We hope you win!
By Karen K. , Posted February 15, 2008 3:56 PMGood Luck Amena and Chris! Not that you need it, a wonderful couple like you deserve to win hands down.
By Wajid , Posted February 15, 2008 4:04 PMholy balls you two! i cannot tell you how happy i am to see you are getting married. no wonder you never write, amena. not that i'm trying to guilt you. never. congratulations you crazy kids.
By gwen roy , Posted February 15, 2008 5:33 PMGood luck! I am friends with Nicole Ojeda, and I voted for you.
Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials!
Lisa
By Lisa O'Hearn , Posted February 15, 2008 6:02 PMI've know Amena since birth and recently met Chris when she introduced him to me. Both of these young people are struggling through life and taking the "road less travelled". Lovely and warm people who wholeheartedly deserve this. Good luck!
By Mo Quereshi , Posted February 15, 2008 6:37 PMWow! Does anyone know the odds of defying tradition in the name of LOVE? These two do. They are as funny as they write but I'm telling you, these two are a uniting factor in a very divided world. Peace! You should win this!
By Lida Begum , Posted February 15, 2008 6:43 PMGood Luck from a friend of Daniel's
By JLD , Posted February 15, 2008 7:36 PMAmena and Chris, you are an inspiration! You are a beautiful, fun, and heart warming couple. You deserve this special wedding and I wish you a life full of love and success.
By Jocelyne Kepler , Posted February 16, 2008 4:37 AMCongratulations Amena and Chris! I am so excited and happy for you two!!!
By Saba Jalil , Posted February 16, 2008 8:36 AMDear Amena and Chris,
My cousin, Nazish, sent me this link and i voted for you. Your sense of humor will be the key to your successful marriage. all the best,
By Saba Qamar , Posted February 16, 2008 12:11 PMSaba Qamar
ok,ok,....you both got my vote....wajid made a convincing case....always has.... Amena, you look a lot like Dad....the long hair is a dead giveaway (yukyukyuk)....best wishes to you both....Dad will be relieved...(lol) Best Wishes Ian & Joyce xxxxxx
By ian gregory , Posted February 16, 2008 4:31 PMA really cute and crazy couple with a great sense of humor who have gone through alot to get to this point.
By Surinder , Posted February 16, 2008 4:44 PMI really hope they win this so they can afford to have a wedding as special as they are.
I hope you win!
By Chrissie , Posted February 17, 2008 5:47 PMCongratulations, you two! I love your story...and you definitely deserve to win! Bonne chance! : )
By suzkohler , Posted February 17, 2008 11:43 PMHi guy,
Don't know you at all but thought to give you my vote seeing as you just look so lovely together.
Take care and good luck all the way from the UK.
By Ian Sinkamba , Posted February 18, 2008 4:54 AMI know them well.
They are quality people who wish to make quality contributions to the world around them...as a couple.
I couldn't be more proud.
Dad
By Harry E. Hobson , Posted February 18, 2008 1:47 PMI've always said Chris is the nicest person I know...and that's fairly unbelievable since I'm his little sister. Amena has only made you a sweeter and more passionate person. I love you both so much! Best wishes!!!
By Lauren , Posted February 18, 2008 3:01 PMI am friends with Chris' sister. Met Chris for the first time a few years ago. A very cool cat. Met Amena for the first time Christmas night 07' what an amazing couple. Good luck you too!
By Jeff Miller , Posted February 18, 2008 3:42 PMAll the best to both of you!
Katrin
By Katrin Haller , Posted February 19, 2008 10:01 AMCongrats! Hope you have a great wedding and life together.
By Jah-Asia , Posted February 19, 2008 11:37 AMCongrats! I wish you continued happiness and a lifetime of love!
By marla , Posted February 19, 2008 12:32 PMYa'll have my vote for sure!
By WM Joseph , Posted February 19, 2008 1:23 PMYou guys rock. Keep up the independent spirit!
By Maria , Posted February 19, 2008 3:41 PMIt's great to see inter-religious, inter-racial relationships since I am in one myself. Amena, I am especially inspired since I identify with your South Asian Muslim heritage. Thanks for highlighting your influences of Bollywood, diasporic media, immigration, and the mosque. Chris, I appreciate your sense of humor.
By Sadaf Ahmad , Posted February 19, 2008 7:53 PMI am very happy and proud of both of you Amena welcome into our faimly you will be a wonderful addition to our already beautiful family I couldn't love Christopher anymore if he was my son and I am happy he found someone so sweet as you. I love you both very much Aunt Sara
By Aunt Sara , Posted February 19, 2008 9:58 PMcongratulations,
best of luck, you get my vote with 1 condition, make sure he converts before you get married.
By Richard de Beauvoir , Posted February 19, 2008 11:09 PMHaven't had the pleasure of meeting Amena yet but have heard great things. You make a nice looking couple. Best of luck in the future!
By Aunt Marylee , Posted February 20, 2008 10:43 AMHow exciting, best of luck to you. Looking forward to meeting you Amena and seeing you Chris!
By Holly Staley , Posted February 20, 2008 10:58 AMCongrats!!! Best of luck and I hope you win.
By Val , Posted February 20, 2008 10:58 AMYou guys are the hottest thing since Abe Lincoln and Mary Todd.
By Ryan E. , Posted February 20, 2008 5:36 PMIf you do win, I promise not to scratch my butt or pick my nose in public again.
By Wajid , Posted February 20, 2008 7:10 PMgood luck in your life as it will be nice to have read about you two in the newpaper about your time with her as your wife
By barry , Posted February 21, 2008 12:05 AMBest of luck on the contest! Enjoy every step of this wonderful and sacred journey together! Congratulations!
By Ashima , Posted February 21, 2008 1:59 AMYou sound a great couple with warmth and humour seems to run in the family (Wajid).Wishing you every happiness. Hope you win!
By Brian & Marina , Posted February 21, 2008 3:54 AMCongratulations, Chris and Amena! You are the perfect couple and deserve to win so that you can visit Kenya for your HONEYMOON!
By Jay Shah , Posted February 21, 2008 7:35 AMCongratulations! Thanks for all of your hard work at Miriam's!
By Ashley Lawson , Posted February 21, 2008 8:36 AMCongratulations! What a lovely couple. :)
By Liz , Posted February 21, 2008 8:51 AMWhat a great sense of humor this couple has!
By Carrie , Posted February 21, 2008 9:11 AMBest wishes to the happy couple! Loved their story. :-)
By slh , Posted February 21, 2008 9:28 AMI rejoice in your obvious happiness and wish you bliss and joy throughout your life. I also hope you win this contest -- hands down!
By Rhea Jacobson , Posted February 21, 2008 9:34 AMAmena and Chris rock! We are all so very happy about your impending wedding here at the office! For those of you who do not personally know them, Amena and Chris are two of the most lovely people you could ever meet. They deserve your vote!
By david , Posted February 21, 2008 9:59 AMGood luck to you both on winning this contest.
Jennifer
By Jennifer Royster , Posted February 21, 2008 10:21 AMCongratulations to the both of you, all the best, hope you Win.
By Donna , Posted February 21, 2008 10:28 AMIts grim up north! Wajid can be very persuasive when he wants to be!
By Ayub Malik , Posted February 21, 2008 10:38 AMMay God Bless your impending union.
Go peeps!
Congratulations to the both of you!
By Ophelia , Posted February 21, 2008 1:01 PMCongratulations Ameena and Chris! Your getting married on my birthday has to be a good omen.
By Joanne Robinson , Posted February 21, 2008 2:49 PMI really enjoyed reading your "story" here! I can't think of a more deserving couple to win this contest -- or more importantly, to enjoy a lifetime of happiness and laughter. You've clearly got the laughter part covered; I'm sure your sense of humor will serve you well in the many happy years to come. CONGRATULATIONS!
By Patti , Posted February 21, 2008 3:10 PMCongratulations Ameena and Chris!
Best Wishes for a wonderful life together.
By Sonja , Posted February 21, 2008 3:29 PMAmena, good luck and best wishes to you and Chris. You've got my vote!
Pat Dixon
By Pat Dixon , Posted February 21, 2008 3:31 PMThis guy Cris likes the Colts, enough said...he must be good for Ameena! Congrats.
By Micah , Posted February 21, 2008 3:51 PMCongrats and may you have many happy and healthy years together!
By Jeanie , Posted February 21, 2008 8:13 PMChris is one hell of a great guy. I found that out one Spring Break while we were in college together. While the meatheads went out to cruise chicks, Chris and I hung back to watch March Maddness. The place we were staying happened to have a hot tub next to a large screen t.v., and although we could have been mistaken for suspiciously gay pruny fingered dudes in a hot tub, I promise it was just two dudes who love sports and are completely comfortable with their heterosexuality. Chris is a model American with a great big heart. Ameena looks like a beautiful girl with a great sense of humor. Congratulations guys! I hope one day we can hot tub together...with our wives!
By Ben Smith , Posted February 21, 2008 10:07 PMI wish the two of you all the best.
By Faisal Khan , Posted February 22, 2008 1:36 AMGoodluck you two! I loved your answers. Just letting everyone know they are the "IT" couple at our office.
By Sharon Ramos , Posted February 22, 2008 8:58 AMWe first met Amena when she and her family lived in England. At that time she would have been about 10 years old and a lovely young child that has grown to be a lovely young women with a funny, open sense of humor. We became part of her family as we have considered her a member of ours. We can't imagine a more deserving young women to have love, success and a family of her own. When we first met Chris about - a year ago we saw immediately how much he adored her and told Amena that he is a keeper. We couldn't be happier for both of them.
By Ed and Harriet Lieberman , Posted February 22, 2008 10:08 AMI know with you it's not just about 'a wedding,' but about 'a marriage' and a great life together. Goood Luck and God Bless --- Miriam
By Miriam , Posted February 22, 2008 10:10 AMHahahaha you guys are too cute! I think it's precious how you clearly appreciate each other and your different backgrounds, and share a sweet love filled with laughter and trust :)
Blessings to you both!!
By Hawley , Posted February 22, 2008 10:47 AMWe wish you all the best! Good luck!:)
By Lucinda , Posted February 22, 2008 12:10 PMBest Wishes to both of you for a wonderful & blessed future together.
:)Angie
By Angie Welborn , Posted February 22, 2008 12:16 PMCongratulations to the both of you. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed life together!!!!
By Casey Hughes , Posted February 22, 2008 1:30 PMAmena: you and I shared a motel room at Keisha's wedding (Sue told me about the contest). I remember you so fondly. I am so, so happy for both of you. You are a special couple and I hope you win! Viel Glueck und alles Gute (as we say in German). I wish you a good and happy life.
By Brigitte Bender , Posted February 22, 2008 7:14 PM