‘I married Turkish lover months after we met in a bar – people call me a slave’ | UK | News
Molly first met her partner Serdar in September 2024 after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Türkiye. (Image: undefined)
A woman who met her Kurdish husband while working in Türkiye says trolls called her a “slave” for cleaning, but she insists she’s just “proud of her home.”
Molly Parfitt Akti, 27, first met her partner Serdar Akti, 25, in September 2024, after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Marmaris.
After a long-distance romance, elevator engineer Serdar proposed in November 2024 after just two months of dating.
The two stayed in touch when Molly flew to Mountain Ash, Wales, for about eight weeks to earn extra money during the resort’s off-season.
The couple married on September 27 in front of a family of 60 people, Molly’s family and friends.
In Serdar’s hometown, Batman, two more weddings were held with the participation of 2 thousand guests, with a traditional henna ceremony and treats.
The couple, who now live together in Fethiye, plan to visit England next year to introduce Serdar to his extended family.
Molly first met her partner Serdar in September 2024 after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Türkiye. (Image: undefined)
Molly, who shares her relationships online, says she receives “too many” messages from women dating or marrying a Kurdish man and advises them not to “listen” to negative comments.
Molly, a current job seeker and TikTok creator, said: “I personally think 2025 is pretty sad and there is so much hatred towards different cultures.
“I said I was cleaning my carpet online and people were like ‘oh you’re a slave. You’re cleaning your house for your husband’ or ‘is that a praise mat?’ they comment.
“No, I clean because I am a proud homebody.
“We are two people and we are happy.
“He is the nicest, sweetest, gentlemanliest ever.
“I had known him for a few years but had never spoken to him.
Molly first met her partner Serdar in September 2024 after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Türkiye. (Image: undefined)
“We met in a bar and I said ‘handsome’.
“It was a short but sweet date and it turned into the best life.”
Molly had traveled to Türkiye for a family holiday when she was younger and “fell in love” with Marmaris after her mother Sharon, 64, broke her leg there in October 2019; This meant the couple had to spend eight weeks there while they recovered.
He said: “I thought, do you know where this is for me?
“I moved there and for the first three years I enjoyed it, took holidays and went out.
“My friend got a job at a club called Excelsior and I got a job there too.”
One evening after work, Molly and her friend took a scooter to the neighboring town of Icmeler to see a friend who worked at a bar there, where they met Serdar.
The two got engaged just two months later, and Molly met Serdar’s family in August 2024.
Molly said: “His family didn’t accept me at first for cultural reasons and he literally said: ‘I’m marrying him in September next year, that could be the date, if you want to be there, you can be there even if there’s no chance.
“They said to bring it here in August this year and we traveled for 27 hours by bus.
“They welcomed me like there was no tomorrow.
“In Marmaris videos, they see programs where people go out to drink and get drunk.
“They get a sour taste from people.
“They loved me after they met me and they still do.”
Molly first met her partner Serdar in September 2024 after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Türkiye. (Image: undefined)
The couple were married for the first time in Marmaris on September 27, in front of Molly’s mother Sharon, 64, and 60 other Britons, as they traveled to Fethiye for the second and third weddings.
Molly said: “We had 2,000 people at the third wedding and we had the whole crowd standing up and putting money on you and smashing bowls and glasses – a completely traditional wedding.
“We walked in and said ‘what do I do?’ I said.
“Serdar said, ‘I don’t know, Molly, I’ve never done this before.’
“There are a lot of women messaging me these days.
“They say I’m with a Turkish or Kurdish person between the ages of 19 and 50. How does this happen and what should I do?
“He has bad comments.
Molly first met her partner Serdar in September 2024 after being introduced by a friend while working in a bar in Türkiye. (Image: undefined)
“I say this is your own experience, don’t listen to anything.
“Just be yourself; if you’re worried about the cultural part of their lives, they’ll accept you if you’re a decent person.”
Molly is looking for work after recently leaving her previous role, as well as applying for a residence visa in Türkiye and a visit visa to meet Serdar’s family in England.
He said: “I’ve only got one year so I’ll have to do it all over again next year.
“There is no guarantee that I can live here forever and he can go to England.
“You fall in love with the person you’re dating and you’ll do anything to be with them, but it’s hard work.”
