AIRPORT PROPOSAL

I sprinted up to Senadin. A wave of comfort and love rushed over me like a wave. As I pulled apart from him, I looked around the room all eyes were on us! The next thing i noticed was a giant banner that said “Kalee, will you marry me?”. As I read the banner, Senadin was getting on one knee. He reached out for my hand and asked the big question. Will you marry me? Immodestly yelled yes! I was on cloud nine. I knew he would be proposing but I was not expecting it to be as soon as stepped into Bosnia! Senadin’s siblings, Elvedin and Hana, joined him to pick us up from the airport. Although they did not speak any English I could tell that they were just as excited as we were. The city where Senadin lives with his family was about an hour and a half away. As we made our way to his city I was in all of Bosnia. The country is covered in mountains and a river that runs completely through the country. I am from a flat coastal town, seeing so many mountains was so foreign to me. I was taken back by the natural beauty of Bosnia. Soon we had made it to Senadin’s home. His family is from a little village situated on a mountain. The drive up the mountain was breathtaking and could be frightening if you were scared of heights. His village overlooked a giant tunnel and the river. I was glad to be near the river. Since growing up near the ocean, the river reminded me of home. As soon as we pulled up to the outside of Senadin’s house his mom and dad, Ermina and Edin were waiting outside for our arrival. They were grinning ear to ear. It made me feel so special to see them so happy to meet me and my mom. As soon as we got out of the car, we were pulled into a bear hug from Ermina. We may not have been able to communicate but we could feel the love immediately. We unpacked our luggage and received a small tour of the home. It was so different. I never thought about European living and style before now. Everything about the village and home screamed European. It was so different and foreign to me. But Senadin and his family really made an effort to make my mom and I feel at home. We soon got to experienced our first Bosnian coffee. The Bosnian coffee experience is like a five step process. I’ll break it down for you if you are unfamiliar with it.

Bosnian coffee experience STEP BY STEP

Step 1: Warm water usually on an electric kettle, gather snacks for the family and guests, and take out small cute coffee cups and serving tray.

Step 2: Once water is warmed, pour the water into a small ceramic kettle. Stir and let rest for couple minutes. (there is also a kettle made of copper that is used for special occasions)

Step 3: Once coffee is ready bring coffee and snacks to guest. Pour coffee from serving kettle to small coffee cups for each guest. (bonus points if you ask each guest if they would like milk in coffee)

Step 4: Enjoy coffee and snacks with guest!

Step 5: Re-pour coffee as guest finish their itty bitty coffee cups!

Congratulations you now know the Bosnian coffee experience!