A woman who met her long-distance fella on Instagram has proved the doubters wrong after pals insisted their love would never last.
Karolina Tomaszewska and her husband Mahmoud have now been together five years.
They are married and have a two-year-old son – despite living in different countries and barely speaking the same language when they first met.
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The pair chatted online for nine months before finally meeting face-to-face – and Karolina, from Poland, said she felt an “indescribable feeling” the moment she met Mahmoud, a Jordanian man with Palestinian roots.
“He messaged me on Instagram,” she told What’s The Jam.
“I didn’t reply right away, it wasn’t until the next day that something told me to reply, and I did.
“A few days later, he said ‘you know what, God gave you everything, but not my number’.
“We exchanged phone numbers, and that’s how our love story began.”
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Karolina said it was love from the very first chat.
She said: “His approach to life, the way he could answer every question I asked, he was helpful in everything, and very caring even though we were so far apart.
“We talked for nine months before we first saw each other, day in and day out, sometimes for hours at a time.
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“I didn’t realise it at first, but I wanted him to be there for the most important moments, just as I was there for him.
“Of course, it was hard at first because of the distance, but the daily conversations helped us a lot.”
But not everyone believed the couple would go the distance.
Karolina said: “Some friends said ‘oh stop it, long-distance love won’t last’.
“Others said ‘hey it’s beautiful, you’re strong and you love each other so it will definitely last’.
“I didn’t really listen to anyone else; I followed my heart and knew that if we believed in each other and wanted to, it would happen.”
The couple now share a life full of love – and a mix of Polish and Arabic traditions.
Karolina said: “My husband often cooks traditional Arabic dishes, and I cook Polish ones.
“Thanks to him, I’ve learned a lot.”
The pair, who live in Austria, got engaged in Jordan, where they later tied the knot.
Karolina said: “Our mothers are very similar: smiling, kind, cheerful, and caring, just like our fathers.
“The only obstacle is language.
“My parents don’t speak enough English to communicate, so my husband and I have to act as translators.
“Despite these barriers, they love and respect each other very much.
“The wedding also took place in Jordan, it was a magical day filled with emotion.
“Weddings there are completely different from those in Poland, but just as beautiful.
“The documents were signed at the registry office, and then the reception took place, complete with beautiful garden decorations, music, and dancing.
“Although we didn’t have a traditional Jordanian or Polish wedding, it was our most beautiful day.”
Karolina said she fell in love with Mahmoud’s homeland.
She said: “Jordan is a charming place.
“The sunsets are the most beautiful, they somehow look different to back home.
“The people are wonderful, open, and family oriented.
“The architecture is diverse, from very old monuments to modern buildings.
“It’s wonderful, I could easily live there.”
Now settled in Austria, Karolina says family life is bliss.
She said: “It’s so beautiful when you have your soulmate by your side.
“When you understand each other without words, a look is enough.
“Mahmoud not only gives me love, support and respect, but also the beautiful feeling of being a mother to our son.
“I feel so happy and fulfilled when I have my two men by my side.”
The couple have now been married for four years, and Mahmoud recently made his first trip to Poland.
Karolina added: “He first came in December and it snowed, so his first impression was ‘cold’ but positive.
“He really liked Poland and enjoyed visiting my family.
“He even learned a bit of the language so he could speak with my parents and siblings.”
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