Assalamu alaykum dear sisters. I’d really appreciate some perspective from those who have been in a similar situation, especially in a family where marriage discussions can be quite sensitive. There is someone I genuinely want my family to consider for marriage, and the fact is that my family is already aware of him, and knows the situation, and they have had the opportunity to see and know about him. They know he's respectful, that he's serious about me too yet they never gave me a proper explanation or a reason when I questioned them as to why they are avoiding him. I have also made it clear to them, my intentions that I would like to learn more about him and have the matter looked into properly for marriage. However, this is now the second time that I’ve found out that my family has been looking into other marriage potentials without telling me. It’s not that I’m saying no one else can ever be considered, but I’m struggling with the fact that these conversations are happening behind my back while I’m trying to understand whether the person I’m interested in could actually be suitable for me. The first time this happened, I agreed to them to let them share a small profile of mine to the suitor's family, but they wanted a woman who could adjust into a joint family, and I wasn't agreeing to that since I cover everything including my face. Fast forward, we didn't meet physically because I disagreed to send my picture digitally online so they rejected because they couldn't see me. But at that time, I still knew the man I had in mind for marriage, and my family did too yet they allowed this to happen. I don’t want to be disrespectful or make this into a conflict with my family. At the same time, I feel that something this important should involve me and my choice should be considered first, especially when it concerns my own marriage. I want them to consider and talk to the man's parents seriously on marriage. For sisters who have experienced something similar: how would you approach the situation when the family continues doing this despite you having already expressed your feelings? How do you address them when they say you're being too fixated? Because that's what I've been told several time.

I've been thinking about something lately, and I wanted to share it honestly. One of my closest friends recently got married, and naturally, her priorities have shifted. That's completely understandable, and I'm genuinely happy for her. There's no sadness or resentment there at all. But there's this quiet feeling I can't quite name. Not sadness exactly, just something missing. Like a small gap where our friendship used to fill up more space in my life. I think it's just part of life shifting, seasons changing, people growing into new chapters at different times. It doesn't mean anything's wrong. It's just an adjustment I'm sitting with right now. Anyone else felt this before, when someone close to you moves into a new season and you're genuinely happy for them, but something still feels different for you?