Re: Should i wait for love or have an arranged marriage?
You have to continuously work on a marriage. Even couples who had a love marriage will experience difficulties in the marriage as well as days when they feel "out of love" with each other.
And arranged marriages these days are not as rigid as their actual definition. These days two people can meet through another party and get to know each other before deciding to marry. This situation is NOT an arranged marriage....as some people like to believe. It's more like a blind date, in a way.
It would be impractical of you to wait until you SPONTANEOUSLY bump into some stranger who will sweep you off your feet. Know what I mean? You can still have a LOVE MARRIAGE by meeting potential people that are introduced to you by your peers, family friends, and relatives. Since your parents are liberal.....spend sufficient time getting to know the person. If you "click" with the individual..........and you both feel in love with each other.....and decide to get married.........then BOOM....there is your LOVE MARRIAGE. In a love marriage.......the love can take place in various ways (spontaneous meeting or arranged meeting).
^Keeping that in mind......consider being open to arranged **meetings **which can potentially develop into "love marriages".
I understand that many of us feel more comfortable marrying someone of a similar background. For example, some US born and raised desis might not feel as comfortable marrying someone who has been born and raised in Pakistan.....because there is a difference in culture/thinking, etc. And if you have been raised in the west, then it's understandable if you want someone who has been raised in the west............BUT keep in mind.......even if you find such a guy.......does not necessarily mean that he's traveled the world. Traveling is not always easy for people for various reasons (expenses, family, etc).
Keeping your criteria tooo detailed.....further narrows your pool of guys, and that can limit your possibilities. If you find someone that has traveled the world.....then GREAT! But if you find someone who is compatible to you in ALL other ways expect global exposrues.....then that's not enough to turn the person down. Even though such an individual hasn't traveled in their past.......they might be open and interested in traveling. Know what I mean? Consider various angles and possibilities.
And best wishes.