Hi Bostongirl! You seem to be quite in a dilemma and I pray for those clouds to clear in no time. You said: "He is not a Nepali and its been a big issue for my family and his." --Is your family looking for a son-in-law whose name sounds like 'Ram bahadur Nepali' or 'Shyam Lal Biswokarma' or with names along that line. Hehe! just kidding. Jokes apart, the fourth caste in the Hindu society have been downtrodden since the reign of Jayasthiti Malla... It's a plus at last he has the same religious background as yours. But your family expected you to couple up with a Nepalese,right? So here I am. Just kidding again. Family members are irreplaceable and while a husband is replaceable. On the contrary, a supporting family is one who respects your choice and does everything to make you happy in the long run. You said: "Did I scare him off by my non-response? Well, I said..ask me again, later." --'Justice delayed is justice denied'. But does that apply in your current situation? I am not sure. You got to make up your mind;sooner the better. You wrote: " how can you leave us? etc etc' " That is pretty threatening. My interpretation is links will be cut off if you marry that dude. But if you happen to be the only child (monopolistic advantage), there is high probability your parents will yield to you quicker and with more intensity. A disclaimer so that you won't sue me if my advice has bad side-effects:Hehe! I have been neither married nor been a marriage counselor so as to give you a practical or wise advice. But these are some of the things I can think of. Good luck to you miss. I hope to you meet you on Sajha as a Mrs Bostongirl soon. :)