Anna

How did you overcome that fear? I don't even...

How did you overcome that fear? I don't even...

You and Mahmoud decide to get married, but that fear is still there.

You and Mahmoud decide to get married, but that fear is still there.

So Samaya found her person. Their marriage felt strong. But then they're hit with several big challenges, one after another. How they dealt with them after the break. Was married life with Mahmoud what you'd hoped for?

So Samaya found her person. Their marriage felt strong. But then they're hit with several big challenges, one after another. How they dealt with them after the break. Was married life with Mahmoud what you'd hoped for?

I mean, that must have been such an intense time to be working in a hospital for Mahmoud as a wound care doctor and for you as a psychiatrist. How did you continue to cultivate your relationship during such a difficult time?

I mean, that must have been such an intense time to be working in a hospital for Mahmoud as a wound care doctor and for you as a psychiatrist. How did you continue to cultivate your relationship during such a difficult time?

And I know from your Modern Love essay that you and Mahmoud are parents now. When did you have your first child?

And I know from your Modern Love essay that you and Mahmoud are parents now. When did you have your first child?

And then your second child?

And then your second child?

And how would you describe Mahmoud as a father?

And how would you describe Mahmoud as a father?

Is there a specific moment that you remember seeing him with the kids and just being struck by that?

Is there a specific moment that you remember seeing him with the kids and just being struck by that?

Yeah. You know, Sumay, I want to change course just a little bit and talk about something that actually wasn't in your Modern Love essay. But when we reached out to you, you told us all about it. And I think it's such an important part of your and Mahmoud's story. You told us that not long after you and Mahmoud had your second kid, you both had to make this really big decision.

Yeah. You know, Sumay, I want to change course just a little bit and talk about something that actually wasn't in your Modern Love essay. But when we reached out to you, you told us all about it. And I think it's such an important part of your and Mahmoud's story. You told us that not long after you and Mahmoud had your second kid, you both had to make this really big decision.

And it was around Mahmoud going to volunteer in Gaza. This is right after the October 7th attacks in 2023, and then the retaliatory strikes that Israel made on Gaza afterwards. There was this international call for aid workers and doctors to come and volunteer and provide care. How did the idea of Mahmoud potentially going to Gaza, how did that first come up between the two of you?

And it was around Mahmoud going to volunteer in Gaza. This is right after the October 7th attacks in 2023, and then the retaliatory strikes that Israel made on Gaza afterwards. There was this international call for aid workers and doctors to come and volunteer and provide care. How did the idea of Mahmoud potentially going to Gaza, how did that first come up between the two of you?