The Dahesh Museum

[Loup Solitaire]

I occasionally discover a document on the internet that I haven't seen previously. Whether everything in this paper is truthful or not, I do not know. But, I suspect the Zahids, specifically Amira, had a lot of input into it. Here is the link:

http://domapp01.shu.edu/depts/uc/apps/libraryrepository.nsf/resourceid/ABF651AF5B87356A852571FB00715088/$File/Nour_Elsayed-Alia-Masters6.pdf

[Loup Solitaire]

Thanks Mario!

[Mario]

I occasionally discover a document on the internet that I haven't seen previously. Whether everything in this paper is truthful or not, I do not know. But, I suspect the Zahids, specifically Amira, had a lot of input into it. Here is the link:

http://domapp01.shu.edu/depts/uc/apps/libraryrepository.nsf/resourceid/ABF651AF5B87356A852571FB00715088/$File/Nour_Elsayed-Alia-Masters6.pdf

Let's put aside the way Doctor Dahesh is presented — and I believe I've made my opinion on the manner with which the Museum has always chosen to present Doctor Dahesh more than clear.

Everything (else) in this thesis is probably factual.

So, when on page 17 we read about the $250,000 renovation — that was factual. However, page 17 does not mention which architectural firm handled that part.

Does it say that Theo David did?

No.

But, it doesn't say that he didn't. And it certainly does not mention who handled the task of converting what was a dump into a showcase — and let's not forget: we're talking $250,000 in 1991 dollars. So, I assure you, a lot went into this.

But, it is certainly within the Museum's right not to acknowledge that, or to bring it up.

And, if you notice, at one point, the thesis says that the media began to accuse the Museum of having ties with Daheshism. (I am paraphrasing).

According to the Thesis, the way the Zahids dealt with it was to (basically) tell everyone "This is not relevant to what we're trying to do here. Let's focus on the art..."

What the Thesis does NOT tell you is that the Zahids, on the record, denied that Doctor Dahesh founded Daheshism...

Again, there were omissions. A lot of them...

It's certainly not illegal to pick and choose which information you choose to publish for posterity's sake. But this Thesis could have been a fascinating tale that would have given the art work its true meaning. Had the Museum been honest from the beginning, telling the complete and full Daheshist Story filled with heroism and tragedy, then perhaps things might have turned out better for it. Let us never forget that this organization disavowed the PROPHET in Doctor Dahesh, denied he founded Daheshism, and openly discredited what the Daheshists were saying.

In a six page article titled "The Riddle of Doctor Dahesh" published in the December 1996 issue of ArtNews magazine, we found the following official statement on behalf of the Dahesh Museum board of directors:

Kaplan goes even further. Speaking on behalf of the board, she denies that Dr. Dahesh founded the spiritual movement. "He didn't establish it," Kaplan says. "The fact is, these people (Daheshists), that's what they say. He never proclaimed himself anything, not a prophet, not a reincarnation. He never claimed anything that people are claiming for him. He was born a Christian, and he must have been very charismatic.".


And as for your (rhetorical) question pertaining to how much "input" on the part of the Zahids — "in particular Amira" — went into this thesis...

Only God knows if this was an honest, unbiased, objective academic exercise or... propaganda.

That being said, let me share with you this email that I received on January 12, 2009 9:10:06 PM ... ( I am removing the actual email addresses)


From: alia nour-elsayed
Date: January 12, 2009 9:10:06 PM EST
To: "Mario Henri Chakkour, AIA NCARB" 's email box
Cc: Amira Zahid
Reply-To: alianour...

Dear Marve,

I was talking with Amira today, and she asked me to inquire about processing my authorized Dahesh Museum email address. I would appreciate your prompt action on this matter, as I need to communicate with other entities.
Best wishes
Alia

[Loup Solitaire]

Interesting

Does it say that Theo David did?

No.

But, it doesn't say that he didn't. And it certainly does not mention who handled the task of converting what was a dump into a showcase — and let's not forget: we're talking $250,000 in 1991 dollars. So, I assure you, a lot went into this.

But, it is certainly within the Museum's right not to acknowledge that, or to bring it up.

And, if you notice, at one point, the thesis says that the media began to accuse the Museum of having ties with Daheshism. (I am paraphrasing).

According to the Thesis, the way the Zahids dealt with it was to (basically) tell everyone "This is not relevant to what we're trying to do here. Let's focus on the art..."

What the Thesis does NOT tell you is that the Zahids, on the record, denied that Doctor Dahesh founded Daheshism...

Again, there were omissions. A lot of them...

It's certainly not illegal to pick and choose which information you choose to publish for posterity's sake. But this Thesis could have been a fascinating tale that would have given the art work its true meaning. Had the Museum been honest from the beginning, telling the complete and full Daheshist Story filled with heroism and tragedy, then perhaps things might have turned out better for it. Let us never forget that this organization disavowed the PROPHET in Doctor Dahesh, denied he founded Daheshism, and openly discredited what the Daheshists were saying.

In a six page article titled "The Riddle of Doctor Dahesh" published in the December 1996 issue of ArtNews magazine, we found the following official statement on behalf of the Dahesh Museum board of directors:

Kaplan goes even further. Speaking on behalf of the board, she denies that Dr. Dahesh founded the spiritual movement. "He didn't establish it," Kaplan says. "The fact is, these people (Daheshists), that's what they say. He never proclaimed himself anything, not a prophet, not a reincarnation. He never claimed anything that people are claiming for him. He was born a Christian, and he must have been very charismatic.".


And as for your (rhetorical) question pertaining to how much "input" on the part of the Zahids — "in particular Amira" — went into this thesis...

Only God knows if this was an honest, unbiased, objective academic exercise or... propaganda.

That being said, let me share with you this email that I received on January 12, 2009 9:10:06 PM ... ( I am removing the actual email addresses)


From: alia nour-elsayed
Date: January 12, 2009 9:10:06 PM EST
To: "Mario Henri Chakkour, AIA NCARB" 's email box
Cc: Amira Zahid
Reply-To: alianour...

Dear Marve,

I was talking with Amira today, and she asked me to inquire about processing my authorized Dahesh Museum email address. I would appreciate your prompt action on this matter, as I need to communicate with other entities.
Best wishes
Alia

Mario:

Do you sometimes go by the moniker, "Marve"?

When I researched "Theo David", I located a firm that certainly listed "The Dahesh Museum" and "The Dahesh Publishing Company" among its' clients.

So I see, you know the author.

[Mario]

Mario:

Do you sometimes go by the moniker, "Marve"?

When I researched "Theo David", I located a firm that certainly listed "The Dahesh Museum" and "The Dahesh Publishing Company" among its' clients.

So I see, you know the author.

In the spirit of full disclosure: I do not know the Author. I've never met the author. I didn't even know you found a thesis written by the Author.

All I know is that she sent me this email on the date posted above.

The rest is pure "coincidence"...

Also, I know, Theo David did work for them after substantial completion of the project and our being "out of the picture."

As a rule, even if an Architect as much as meets with an client and offers free advice, that goes on the resume.

But, in this case, I am sure Mr. Theo David (who both David and I knew) did work for them.

For the record, however:

Because we needed a NY STATE Architect to review and stamp our drawings in order for the KAVI construction to pull a building permit, the Architect of Record was BARBARA WEINSTEIN, AIA

Barbara did a couple of changes in the Bathroom plumbing layout (there was a shower in there) in order to meet NYC Building Codes.

I think we also had another NYC Mechanical Eng. firm certify the Mechanical drawings... I can't remember... David has all the plans in his MA office.

In any case, the "$250,000 renovation" was done by "STUDIO TWENTY SIX ARCHITECTS" (located at the time in Newton Upper Falls, MA)

[Mario]

Re "KAVI"...

The "KAVI" construction we worked with stands for "Kahn-Virgint" (Richard Kahn and Frederic Virgint). Fred was the one who handled that particular project.

[Loup Solitaire]

In the spirit of full disclosure: I do not know the Author. I've never met the author. I didn't even know you found a thesis written by the Author.

All I know is that she sent me this email on the date posted above.

The rest is pure "coincidence"...

Well, yes it is coincidence. But who is Marve? I'm sorry! I find myself chuckling that this person emails you out of nowhere and expects you to bless her email address somehow so she can do wonderful things. Are you somehow providing email services to The Museum? Or what? Mario, you are a fun person. And never dull!

[Mario]

"Paging Marve! ... Marve, please call the front desk!"

Well, yes it is coincidence. But who is Marve? I'm sorry! I find myself chuckling that this person emails you out of nowhere and expects you to bless her email address somehow so she can do wonderful things. Are you somehow providing email services to The Museum? Or what? Mario, you are a fun person. And never dull!

Thank you Ron! (and he bows)

God only knows why these ... "coincidences" ... happen to me.

Typically, I would have filed this email with the other junk mail I get from here and there.

But when I saw your post, and that "ThesizzzZZZZZZZ" ... it was as if I had to say something. Not that I didn't resist, mind you. I must have posted and erased a half dozen messages. I consulted close friends on the matter... I tried everything within my power not to post this find. After all, I have stacks and stacks of notes, memories, and data that I am NOT posting... But why this?

Well, it so happened that on the night before your information about this person, I was reminiscing about a dream I had in which Doctor Dahesh — upset at what happened — asked me (in the dream) "WHAT HAPPENED?! I SENT YOU THIS PROJECT ON PURPOSE ... " ( basically, in the dream, He reveals to me why He sent me this project).

So, that evening, as I was thinking about this dream, I was asking myself: " Why would the Doctor ask me to tell him what happened? Wouldn't he know? Or is he telling to tell the story of what happened... and what would that do? ... "

Anyway, I was going through all these thoughts and emotions, including the other Dream in which he tells me "Do not send The Museum Money"

Now, as far as that particular dream was concerned, I saw that circa 1998... not sure... At that time I was b-r-o-k-e... Despite it all, I actually borrowed money in order to donate to the museum. And shortly after that, I saw that dream. I never dared send one cent after that...

My heart goes out to all those who donated their blood, sweat, and tears to help see a prophet's dream grow to become what he always wanted it to be.

I said it once, I'll say it again:

The Dahesh Museum, as an organization, has nothing to do with anything remotely Daheshist. It should ask God and the Beloved Guiding Prophet for forgiveness.

The reason I say that is because — I believe — until they do so, they have a dark cloud hanging over its head.

Speaking of "dark clouds, did I mention that lighting can, evidently, strike in the same place twice? (yeah... sure... the story ... fiction... yeah... that's it... )

[Loup Solitaire]

Thank you Ron! (and he bows)

God only knows why these ... "coincidences" ... happen to me.

Typically, I would have filed this email with the other junk mail I get from here and there.

[/URL]

Well, I am rolling on the floor now, thank you. The coincidence here is not just happening to you. As a result of a simple inquiry on the name, I got an age, a list of addresses, family members, neighbors, etc. This person is either very public or who knows what. However, sometimes, I think, the Internet talks to me. Ha Ha! However, information normally doesn't reveal itself this quickly. I feel like I have known her all my life.

[Johnson]

The "coincidences" here are almost beyond mathematical calculation... meaning, these "coincidences" just should not have happened... but they did...

The chance or “coincidence” of one event happening... Ron coming across the thesis... ok... somewhat remote... but then Mario getting an email from that thesis' author... ok, even way more remote... but the content of the author's email... OOOPS! ... off the charts!

The "thesis" is a thesis... fine... but what is blurred is that it is not written exactly impartially... in fact it is clear it has some spin and bias... which is fine... if this is made known to the reader... which, it is not.

Some of the information that we know first hand to be true... is not presented accurately... in fact, it is not presented at ALL. The REAL truth has either been a victim of revisionist history or else selective omission... either of which leads to a new reality... which... is just not true... entirely.

thesis |___sis|
noun ( pl. -ses |-s_z|)
1 a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved

The part of the "thesis" that holds special interest to both Mario and myself is the complete omission of the extensive work he and I had done for the very first Dahesh Museum in New York City. While what is written might possibly be true from a chronological sense, not all the events of the complete chronology have been presented, and as such, many key and factual events have been omitted.

In fact the details surrounding Theo David's involvement with the Museum seem so relatively detailed in the thesis, that at this point, no one would ever question this particular period of history any further... or frankly, even care.

But the facts are the facts... even if the consulted source (which seems to be the primary source for the information for the thesis in the first place) seems intent on producing information to the contrary.

Mario and I during this time were actively involved as architects in both the extensive design of the interior for the first museum space for the Dahesh Museum as well as spending time (at the request of the Trustees) helping to interview for the museum's first curator.

Aside from creating a very elaborate and creative design for the space, Mario and I interviewed many contractors for the job as well as making many trips to New York to check on progress of the construction for our design. The raw space before we got involved was absolutely abysmal. There was so much garbage and debris in the space it was difficult to get around to take particularly accurate initial measurements. Then there was all the creative problem solving and working around odd existing mechanical and structural conditions in an effort to make the space look naturally open and conducive to showing art.

We contracted with a local architect in New York City to sign off on all the permits required by the City... we hired a contractor to do the work that was recommended to us by, yes... one of our former Pratt Institute professors... Theo David... This contractor that we recommended that ultimately got the job, eventually became quite close with the Trustees.

But this relationship too, nearly fell apart before it even began. The contractor, once selected, nearly walked away from doing the job in the first place once he was presented with the most heavily "lawyered" contract he had ever seen in his life. Mario mediated this portion of the job and basically put his name and reputation on the line by telling (imploring) the contractor to be patient and stay in the game... I remember Mario telling the contractor, "please, please, trust me, these people (the Trustees) will be fair with you... despite the heavy handed contract they are asking you to sign..."

What was odd here, is that as architects, even though we are under the employ of the client, we also have to have a degree of impartiality to speak up for what is right and fair... on all aspects of the projects we undertake. This was a REAL sticking point and now in retrospect, a sign of things to come, or at least one of the sticking points that I think may have led to the sad and tragic unravelling of the relationship between ourselves and the Trustees... when on one hand, the client (the Trustees) tells us to represent their interests and get the job done for them (which we swore allegiance to them that we would do) yet in fairness terms, at several junctures, we kept trying to protect the clients from some of their very own actions that were working against them and potentially could backfire in terms of time and/or money... and I think by our bringing these things to light, to discuss, to evaluate or just to make the proper suggestions for a course that was best for them and the project... for some reason we were basically dismissed after the project's completion... by the very ones we had sworn allegiance to protect in the first place!

I can only imagine that any work or "tweaking" that was done by Mr. David to the space Mario and I created (after our tenure ended with the trustees) only came to Mr. David because we had indirectly involved him in the first place... (via the contractor we brought to the Trustees).

But of course... everything to do with our work and tenure and efforts have been omitted...

We are not looking for any undue credit for anything here... hardly... and frankly, it is even just plain tiring to be bringing this up again after all these years... it is just that at the very least, it would be fair and reasonable to have at least the simple acknowledgement that our involvement and work for the Museum Trustees and the first Dahesh Museum is indeed a FACT... and this fact is hardly worthy of a complete omission from the initial history of the museum.

[Mario]

Devil's Avocate...

"The client is always right. They paid you. They have certain expectations. You were in no position to do anything other than provide them with that which they were asking for. After all, nothing they asked for was illegal, immoral — correct?"

Correct, except that they came to us under one particular set of rules they had defined, and which was an Architect's dream:

The client insists on giving you full reign of the project.

For every conceivable question we had for them, the answer was "You decide"

For example:

Q: "How much do you want to spend?"

A: "You tell us."


Q: "Which contractor do you prefer"

A: "You tell us."


Q: "How many rooms"

A: "You tell us."


Q: "Which this, which that..."

A: "You tell us."


Now, initially, I never wanted us to get paid. They insisted. And, let me tell you, that was the hardest thing for me to do.

So, we set a budget of (I believe) $20,000 for full design services. Which would include everything. And, before anyone goes "Oh my GOD!"... Folks, that was VERY modest. Even Mrs. Mervat Zahid told me "Mario, your prices are Modest"

And, with every invoice, there was a discount.

But money was not the reason Mervat Zahid came to me initially.

It was because she trusted me.

She could have gone to the biggest firms in NYC. In fact, I don't mind telling you that — just — the transparent sliding glass panel we added to the design upon Amira Zahid's request (otherwise, we would have gone the more modest route) cost over $20,000. In other words, instead of having a typical wall for the conference room, Amira wanted a transparent wall. That wall, cost over $20,000.

So, I assure you, it wasn't about the money.

These people needed someone they could trust. And being that the Doctor (allegedly) used to say "Mario is Loyal," well, that was a done deal.

And here, I would like to tell everyone what one Daheshist Brother told me last year:

Even in the year 2008, he heard someone in Beirut tell him that the reason "the People" (the code name for the Zahids) are not talking to Mario is because he was "materialistic"... "it was all about the money"

I am simply disgusted if that is the case.

Let me go on the record and make this declaration before God and the Beloved Guiding Prophet and the Brother Ali:

Mervat Zahid made me swear that I will make sure they finish and open the project on time!

She repeated over and over "Mario, you must make sure we don't fall behind. You have to do whatever you must to make sure the Museum opens on time."

That being said, she had good reason for saying that: Her personal life (issues I will not get into) made is so we practically NEVER got to meet with her.

And that put an extreme amount of pressure on me. And of course David. But I was the one who had to tell him "Listen, David, we can't wait, let's start the Construction Documents."

Now, for those of you not familiar with what that entails, please know that the Construction Documents account 40-50% of the project.

What Mrs. Zahid, after she returned and looked at the plans decided that this or that particular wall shouldn't be there?

You have no idea what that entails.

And, of course, the question is: why wouldn't she be there in the first place?

Once again, she had a lot of personal business to tend to...

So, I repeat, it was important for her to have someone she could trust. And, arguably, I was that guy. And I was more than a "guy"... I was always given the impression I was like a son... Amira's lawyer even said to me "aren't supposed to be like a brother to her?"

When I asked her why she said that (because, I suppose, the sky would have fallen on my head had I dared utter such words) she said "Well, Amira mentioned you GREW UP TOGETHER practically"

And I am ready to submit myself to a POLYGRAPH exam.

So, folks, we have a difficult project being done under difficult conditions.

In other words: we weren't making a lot of money (which is fine, I already said above that I was FORCED to be paid), it was long distance, it was in the middle of BLESSED MANHATTAN,.. etc. etc. AND, the Client was practically never there.

It was a MIRACLE that we eventually, and by the grace of GOD were able to put everything in place...

(and by the way, this is just 1% of the story)

Like David said: the contractor was about to walk out.

Suddenly, nothing I said was trustworthy.

It was as if someone wanted me out of the way, now that all the ducks were in a row.

And that person knows who she is...

In any case, I had no choice but to fulfill my promise to Mrs. Zahid. And NOTHING worked.

So, I did something drastic: I sent her an invoice for the extra month I wasted (in my opinion) for nothing rewriting and reviewing the contracts — essentially, all my work was tossed out of the window, and both Mrs. Zahid and Kavi construction were making the lawyers rich.

She refused to pay it. She said "I am like your mother. If you need money, just ask for it."

I explained this had nothing to do with money, but rather with respect. Basically, either she follows my advice — which so far got her here in one piece — or, she will need to pay the invoice.

She refused.

That's when I made the declaration that, from this point on, I will not accept one dime from her (keep in mind, there were additional phases yet to be completed) and I will provide my services for free.

I'll stop here. I'll just add that at one point, Amira Zahid, "my sister" (and, actually, I hear she is now my "sister-in law") tears a letter in my face.

In that letter, I explained that Daheshism is supposed to be — just like the United States — made of autonomous states. Sure, I had no problem bowing to her Mother. After all, and this is when I cringe when I read some people try to beat us with their "SPIRITUAL CREDENTIALS", her Mother, for years, made it CLEAR to me that she was the INHERITOR of DAHESHISM. Frankly, I have no problem accepting that. But, there ARE rules of conduct!

And, I believe, as one who the Doctor (allegedly) considered loyal, I gave her unconditional obedience.

But, she made me promise... and I tried to fulfill my promise to the best of my God Given abilities.

And I was, forever, punished for it.

Now, I will address the Daheshists (who, just like Boxfox) might knock on my door and, see for themselves if all the rumors about me are true:

Don't waste your time, nor my time.

You are out of your league and you have no idea of what it means to be TESTED.

And, while I am on a roll: Boxfox, I think you should be ashamed of the way you behaved recently.

Do you know why I didn't reconnect with you? I'll tell you.

Remember when you came here, and made a mess of things, and erased all your messages and left? Yeah... Hold that thought.

On October 9, 2008, I had a dream that you came to me and you tried to reconnect... But, in the dream, I wasn't sure...

"October 9, 2008: I dreamed that ..... called me and that he was in pain. He was troubled, he wanted to talk about what happened... I ignored him a little in the dream because I didn't feel he was ready to acknowledge his mistake and sincerely apologize."

After that dream, YOU returned to Daheshville and apologized. Then you wrote me, saying how much you missed talking to me on Skype. I don't blame you, especially after all the attention I gave you, .... you ungrateful child!

But I kept my distance. I wasn't sure.

Then I spend days transcribing the Doctor's prayer and then translate it.

You come, UNSOLICITED and posted your version.

I spent HOURS preparing a professional response for you, because I CARED.

What do YOU do?

You insult me, you insult my ethnic background.

And when I protest, you have the unmitigated TEMERITY to call yourself MY FRIEND and to try to make me look bad by accusing me of flying off the handle when a FRIEND tries to help me? Does it make you feel good to make me look bad?! "Hurray for BoxFox! He won the match!"

Let me tell you something you ... God... Help me...

YOU are NOT my friend.

YOU will have to EARN being my friend.

I am old enough to be your FATHER.
And you are LUCKY you were NOT my son!

I would have SHOWN you "IKIDO"...

And, on that front, sir... true martial art is not about beating up the other person. It is about SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT.

[Johnson]

Everything that Mario has written here about our working with the Museum is true.

We can only present 1% here, but I have faith God Almighty, and everyone who was involved, knows the other 99%.

And why this led to the disintegration of meaningful relationships at that time... that were forever just left abandoned and damaged... will always remain a mystery to me.

[Mario]

Thank you David...

And, I have to apologize for having lost it... especially with Boxfox... But, this YAHOO he set me off with this "Invitation to play a game on YAHOO.COM" on Facebook...

No, really... The first episode (when he erased the messages) got me so upset, I stopped working on the Daheshist Symbol movies for a whole month.

The second episode... I said to myself "enough is enough!"

Then ... this is odd... I am reading another dream I had about Boxfox...

JAN 24, 2009

"I dreamed I was hearing Doctor Dahesh via phone... people talking... can't really make out what the conversation was about... Boxfox in the Dream"

Then, Boxfox finds this Kardec business and comes here and posts it without EVEN RESEARCHING IT COMPLETELY.

We end up accusing this guy of stealing the Daheshist concepts, whereas, HE had used the term Spiritual Fluids back in the 19th Century!

GOOD GOIN' BOXFOX!

And what did your "Expert Friend" say to that?!

[Mario]

Slight Update to the Budget...

Actually, and after the contract with KAVI was signed, and Mrs. Zahid visited the site (one evening in Dec 1990), she requested certain changes to the floor plan — and that's when Amira also requested the inclusion of the transparent panels.

Anyway, there were about 70-80 K worth of changes, and our office billed them an extra 7 or 8 K

David can confirm/correct etc. ... or we might see another "thesis" about that...

[Loup Solitaire]

She refused to pay it. She said "I am like your mother. If you need money, just ask for it."

I explained this had nothing to do with money, but rather with respect. Basically, either she follows my advice — which so far got her here in one piece — or, she will need to pay the invoice.

She refused.

That's when I made the declaration that, from this point on, I will not accept one dime from her (keep in mind, there were additional phases yet to be completed) and I will provide my services for free.

I'll stop here. I'll just add that at one point, Amira Zahid, "my sister" (and, actually, I hear she is now my "sister-in law") tears a letter in my face.

In that letter, I explained that Daheshism is supposed to be — just like the United States — made of autonomous states. Sure, I had no problem bowing to her Mother. After all, and this is when I cringe when I read some people try to beat us with their "SPIRITUAL CREDENTIALS", her Mother, for years, made it CLEAR to me that she was the INHERITOR of DAHESHISM. Frankly, I have no problem accepting that. But, there ARE rules of conduct!

Mario, as I was reading your quote, I remembered something I was once told by my wife's uncle, "Never do business with family"! He sold cars and basically his motto was don't sell cars to people in the family. However, he always made an exception for my wife and her father. So whenever we bought a car from him, I found him extremely careful about making certain that the customer could have no complaint, to the extreme. I always felt guilty doing business with the guy. And the only car that was ever bought after my wife and I married, was because my wife assassinated some helpless deer that wasn't fast enough to get out of her way, thus wrecking her car. We were not at the time prepared to buy another car and needed a good deal. But I took what he said to heart, never do business with family or close acquaintances.

You said something above, I thought I'd ask about. "My sister... and, actually, I hear she is now my 'sister-in law'". Could you clarify exactly who the lucky person is?