Sitka is a very magical place for romance. Issam and I met here in 2006, when I came to Alaska for a bit of an adventure. I sure got one! Issam had arrived in Sitka several years earlier in 1999. By the time we met, two weeks after I landed, he had already been in the industry for six years.
For our second date, he said he wanted to cook dinner for me and my roommates! Who does that? Especially at the age of 25! Now, mind you, I fancy myself a pretty awesome chef and I was living with SIX other girls at the time! This was a tall order! But, here came Issam with all the groceries to make us ALL dinner and, he wouldn't let anyone help him. He made us a gorgeous salad with a strawberry vinaigrette, garlic bread, and his amazing Potato Chip Halibut recipe (you can find it here).
That was in early June, on Christmas Day he proposed, and we were married by the end of January. This year (2021) we celebrated 14 years of marriage! What a ride! If I was looking for adventure, I found exactly what I was looking for! We now have two beautiful girls, two blooming businesses (we also own and operate a lovely little sport fishing business), and a wonderful life full of surprise, laughter, and love.
Love & Best Fishes,
Mindy
Catch Sitka Seafoods
