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For 5 years while in college, I dated an Arab Muslim. Lived with him for 4 years while his parents stayed in denial and pretended not to know. I didn't answer the phone in my own home. While I value the relationship as a learning experience about another culture and religion, I also learned that for me an interfaith relationship wouldn't work and maintaining a secret relationship is unacceptable.
I went into the relationship as a young adult who thought that love could conquer all, and that all the naysayers were just lame. But on the interfaith thing, I realized that it's important (for me) to share such things as faith with my partner. On the secrecy thing, I agree with the LW that it felt like I was the "other woman." I allowed myself to be put in that disadvantaged position because I didn't know any better, but never again.
And to the guys whose families won't approve of you dating/marrying that XXXX girl? Do us all a favor. If you're going to end up obeying your parents anyway and are so afraid of what they'll think -- only date those "acceptable" girls. You'll save everybody a lot of time and trouble.
