Virginia is for lovers

Today is one perfect fall afternoon. Fall foliage is at its peak decorating Virginia and crafting a promotional scene to support Virginia’s slogan; Virginia is for Lovers. I thought I should write something. Since my last blog entry, I have received many surprise wishes and felicitations from friends that I have lost touch with (Surprisingly, they are still reading my blog). Many were surprised by my engagement and some even thought I was pulling a prank. After a few email exchanges with my long time cyber pal, SY, I realized this shocking good news wasn’t easy to digest. It came unforeseen because my blog seems cryptic, censored and perhaps, impersonal, she claimed. I agree my blogging style is rather cryptic, but I probably would contend that my blog is impersonal. It is just not my style to discuss my personal relationship publicly (I am no Paris). Furthermore, I like to share my personal topics only with friends who care, not with random Joe and Jane. And, I like to stress that regardless how cryptic/censored/impersonal my blog is, please don’t assume. ASSUME can “make an ASS out of U and ME.” The simplest way to figure out the truth is to ASK. Nevertheless, to appease your curiosity and stop you from contemplating, I am gladly to break yet another good news (if you still don’t know because you haven’t ask or I haven’t tell you).

After a short engagement with my fiancée, Ivy, we decided to legally get married in the United States. Yes, I am now legally married. It was a quick trip to a local circuit court to get a marriage license and found a local celebrant who officiated our wedding. On 10/10/2005, 10am, we had our real simple wedding, only the celebrant, my fiancée and me. The most emotional and touching part should be reading the marriage vow, just like the wedding seen in the Hollywood movies:

I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (husband/wife), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

And the celebrant asked:

Do you (Groom/Bride) take (Bride/Groom) to be your lawful wedded (wife/husband)? (Each responds, "I do.") Will you love, respect and honor her/him throughout your years together? (Each responds, "I will.")

We both uttered “I do” with confident while our hands hold tight together. This is probably the simplest wedding one could have, but it still represents an enduring commitment of life and togetherness, and therefore changing “my world” into “our world” and “my life” into “our life.” After we are officially married, we brought home sushi, fruits, chocolate cake and a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne. We spent the rest of the day eating, drinking, chatting and listening to Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Just two of us. Our conversation covered life (past, present and future), jazz, wine, food, fashion, sports and TV shows. That’s how our wedding celebrated in Virginia. That’s right, Virginia is for lovers.

*We are now planning to have a Chinese wedding ceremony in Malaysia and Taiwan.