A Letter To My Daughter: Looking Back At Saudi Creator Alaa Balkhy’s Letter To Her First Child
In honour of the birth of her baby girl, Bazaar Arabia shares a special note the Jeddah-born designer-entrepreneur wrote to her unborn daughter while still pregnant for our Summer 2022 issue
Congratulations are in order for Saudi designer and entrepreneur Alaa Balkhy. The content creator, who splits her time between Jeddah and New York City, gave birth to her daughter, Aziza, on September 12. On this special occasion, Bazaar Arabia looks back at our Summer 2022 issue where Alaa shared a sweet, sentimental letter to her first-born child.
A LETTER TO MY UNBORN DAUGHTER
Hey girl,
One day you’re going to wonder how a 22-year-old girl from Jeddah and a 23-year-old boy from Virginia ended up in New York City in 2012. Where they met at the corner of Charles and Waverly place in the West Village and fell in love, and had their first kiss in front of NYU’s Rubin Hall on the corner of 10th street and 5th avenue, where she was staying as part of her ESL program.
Well, you and I can keep wondering because I think about that every time I walk around the city, fly back to New York, or look at him. Here we are 10 years later, waiting for you.
So this is how it went down… basically, just so you know, the world calls you a rainbow baby. I’m not sure why but it has something to do with joy after sadness, and believe me, there was sadness. But now you’re here, so somewhat all good, right?
It was January of 2022 when I found out, and obviously, after taking multiple tests, I called Issam. He was at the office, but I couldn’t wait, and that’s when everything changed but didn’t quite feel different aside from the heartburn and nausea. Later, when I was in Milan for fashion week, the doctor called and asked me if I wanted to know the gender, to which I replied, “can you email me?” Obviously, I just wanted to “see it in writing”. I read it and cried because now my whole closet made sense. But also because we always talked about a girl, and there you were in written form “you are having a baby girl.”
I believe you came at the right time. I am glad that you meet the healed version of me. I know it might not always be perfect but trust me, I will always be trying. And I can’t help but apologise in advance for all the times I don’t get it right.
Just so you know, we’ve always talked about you. In June 2018, I was eating a manousheh in the West Village and I heard the news that women could finally drive in Saudi! I called Issam straight away with tears in my eyes and told him, “Our daughter will never go through what I’ve been through,” and that’s when the idea of you was first brought up.
I know so much can change between generations. But this is more than just a generational change. It’s a social and cultural renaissance. And you’re about to be part of this, so get ready!
Writing this six months pregnant with you and getting ready for you to come into this world is both thrilling and a bit overwhelming sometimes. I know that giving you the best life also means the best version of me. The past three years have been challenging yet healing in how I got to know my true self during therapy, and my main goal was to break the cycle.
So here you are, a little baby girl born sometime in September in New York City. Daughter of designer/entrepreneur Alaa Balkhy and banker/ financier Issam Hamididdin. I can tell you we’re pretty chill as a couple. We’ve been together for ten years before you came into the picture. We managed to create somewhat of a routine, a bit chaotic in terms of how often we travel between New York and Saudi, but hey, they’re both home.
I’m so excited that you’re going to make us plan more and just be ready for anything. As your dad always says, “Expect the best but plan for the worst”… in true investment banking fashion.
I can promise that you are born into love. Something I’ve seen fade away with my parents. While growing up I never saw my mum truly happy and it really got to me so I promise you that there will always be love and joy. Love will be the pillar of everything. I promise I will always try to be the best version of myself and will always do things that make me happy because I want you to have everything I didn’t have and I actually can’t wait to start this journey with you.
I can’t wait for us to meet. xoxo
Lead Image Courtesy/ @alaa on Instagram
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s August 2022 Issue