The Flame: Part 2/5
Trigger warning: Immigration
We were that couple. The one that disappears into each other in a crowded room. The one that always sits on the same side of the booth because across from each other just feels too far. The one that sneaks touches, elbows grazing, fingers tracing, feet tangled under tables, like gravity itself was pulling us together. Our spark wasn’t subtle; it was a fire.
But fires don’t just burn, they consume.
The clock was ticking on Güven’s tourist visa. We knew it, our friends knew it, and the immigration system definitely knew it. Our options were limited, and so were our rights. After a lot of conversations (some rational, some dramatic, all deeply felt), we arrived at the most unromantic of conclusions: marriage. Not in the "OMG let’s pick out flatware" kind of way, but in the "if we don’t do this, the person I love has to leave the country" way.
We broke up over it. Then got back together. Then cracked apart again. It felt unnatural to put such a weighty decision on something so effortless between us. But no matter how much we analyzed, debated, or tried to step back, we landed in the same place: together. Titles, paperwork, definitions..none of it really mattered. We had already chosen each other.
So, after seven months of dating, we got engaged. And a month later, on 4/20 (yes, really), we eloped. Riding our bikes all over Lakewood like two kids playing house, except it was real. We signed papers, celebrated with takeout, and kept on living. What followed was an obstacle course of interviews, background checks, legal fees (so much money), and paperwork that made us question whether true love was just a government test of endurance. In 2018, after years of navigating the system, Güven became a U.S. citizen.
But that in-between time? Whew.
We built a life from the ground up, brick by bureaucratic brick. Güven couldn’t work right away, couldn’t drive, couldn’t access healthcare. So we did what we had to do. He sold rugs across Ohio, waited tables, poured wine, solved furniture shipment issues, drove for Uber. He hustled. We both did. And somehow, in between proving our love to immigration officers, working odd jobs, and figuring out what “home” even meant, we stitched together a life that was completely ours.
Our flame burned bright for a long time. Until one day, it didn’t.
Threads of fate
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Threads of fate 〰️
Threads of Fate, Woven Into Every Stitch
Just like our love story, every piece at Together Textiles is made with deep connection and intention.
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About Together Textiles:
Cozy, sustainable, and versatile, Together Textiles designs robes and towels traditionally woven on looms in Turkey using the same techniques passed down four generations. Purchasing from Together Textiles means you are supporting an ancient craft, along with a budding family of five who loves connecting with the local communities while splitting time between Türkiye and our studio in Ohio. Follow the family business journey on Instagram @togethertextiles or read the blog togethertextiles.com/blog.
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