Immigrant Stories

My parents made the tough decision to immigrate from Morocco to Seattle WA around 1995. During their journey, my twin, Sarah and I were born in Morocco and stayed with my grandma and Aunts while my parents made roots down in America, in hopes that we could join them at a later date as they navigated their new chapter. I enjoyed my very early childhood in Morocco and then my twin, and I joined my parents in Seattle WA at the age of 4. I remember getting off the airplane and seeing them, my dad in a long leather coat that felt so 90's, and then I remember moving into our first apartment in Kent, WA. I remember having sweet older neighbors that would give us chocolates and candies. America was so new to my sister and I, my dad laughs when he reminds us that we questioned if there would be TV, and toys for us. We had no idea what to expect when all we knew was Morocco.

I'm so grateful they made the difficult decision to start this new journey. My dad was in college while working and my mom worked as well, both different day/night shifts so they could make things work and still care for us and my little brother. Both my parents worked their ways up as immigrants and developed into managerial roles and overcame all obstacles thrown at them. I don't remember much about it with being so young, but I imagine it was difficult for them to leave my sister and I behind while they ventured on to create a new life for us. They went on to fulfilling a life-long dream of owning their own Moroccan restaurant for 15 years. For that, I am so grateful to have seen them bring a piece of Morocco to Seattle and to be able to stay so connected to my culture and upbringing.

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