I don’t typically want to write about myself too much and I really enjoy sharing stories of others. But given it is was my birthday yesterday, I will take this opportunity share our story.

(I know you are thinking, “Oh, Happy Birthday!” so I will say “Thank you!” :))

The Beginning…

My parents came from Iran to America in 1978. Whenever I say this to people, they then ask me “Oh so was this before the revolution?” … “Yes it was”… “Oh so they were trying to leave because they knew that was coming?” …”Yes and No”. The truth is, yes things in Iran were not very stable, so of course America was (and still is) viewed as the preferred location for many. At the same time, my parents knew they wanted to raise their future children in America. More opportunity for them, more education, more equality…just more. And so, they came to Amreeeeeeka (*accent included*).

They left it all behind, including their own families and started new. The story could end here, and it would still be amazing but I will continue.

I try to put myself in the shoes of someone who comes to a new country, on their own, with only their bags and their hopes. It’s not possible. Until you have actually done it yourself, you just can’t relate. So I can’t say I know what they felt…so I asked Baba (Iranian for “Dad”) 

“I was very excited to come to America, we had always heard such great things about it and I felt lucky to be able to. I left a great job in Iran to come here and start over.” 

I am surprised they didn’t really miss Iran but he said “this was our choice to come here”.

And so, they started in NYC…then Chicago..then Michigan. And finally, Boston our home.

Later…

Skip a couple years, my brother and I were born! And the world was a better place.. ok, just kidding. Both of us were born in Boston. This was where my parents wanted us to be raised due to its great education, cultural society and international communities. (They clearly didn’t consider the extremely cold weather in this decision… and I really wish they had done that!) 

But, there we were. First generation Iranian Americans. Over the years, we had to balance the values and expectations of being Iranian, with the cultural differences we faced in America. There were differences  we saw and choices we had to make. Sometimes, it was frustrating to have to make these choices. We wanted one thing, but were expected to do another.

Who were we? Iranian? American? Both? But how?

and Now….

Sometimes I do get confused. In so many ways, I am more American. But in a lot of ways (my friends will say especially in the car when I am blasting persian music), I feel so Iranian. Is that how I should be? I realize I can’t think about it too much and analyze it. I have found a balance that I am happy with. Through my dance, music, this blog, our culture and our values,  I feel so connected to my culture.

I like to take this, and apply these values and learnings, into my more “American” life. This is how I find my balance.

What’s next? 

Well, I don’t know and that’s the beauty of it.

But I like to reflect when it is my birthday.

I am proud of OUR story, OUR families, where they have come, where we are today and where we will all go.

What is your story?  Share it with us at thesaffronlife@gmail.com…or through the “Contact” page. Your story could be next here.