Suprisingly, Eriko did not let me cook breakfast for her or take her out to lunch. She did let me schedule a 1.5 hr massage (a surprise to her), take her out to dinner, and to watch Annie. Annie was great; it was amazing to see girls aged 11 with so much talent.
“We were not sent into this world to do anything into which we cannot put our hearts.”
“If you want more pomp and circumstance, I can do it, otherwise I can just
ask you the questions."
“Just the questions."
“Eriko, do you take Nick to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
“What?"
“Do you want him to be your husband?"
“hai. Yes."
“Nick, do you take Eriko to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
(pause as groom looks over the bride)
“Yes, I do."
“By the power vested in me by the State of Washington, I now pronounce you
husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
(smooch)
i can barely believe it. after 27 years of being alone, i am no longer an individual. i am now half of a whole, part of a pair, a bit of two… i like having Eriko around. it is a little surreal to watch her make the house her own, little by little. the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, the living room… they all bear her mark. today we obtained her social security number, added her to the bank accounts, and filed for a marriage license. if all goes well, my co-worker (a “minister”) will officiate over a very brief ceremony on Monday and we’ll be legally bonded. then, lots more legal work to be done such as changing her name, filing for a change in her immigration status (towards the green card), etc. soon i’ll be at work full-time and then japanese class twice a week … and then uw in addition. i’m a little nervous but also excited to see our lives develop… together. ;)
