September 13, 2009

Wedding in Les Sables d'Olonne

Marie and I had decided before I left for Amman this summer that we would get married in September; the paperwork and arrangements were our concern and we didn't know if we would have time to complete the process when I returned to France in mid August. I had to visit the US Embassy in Paris, complete an interview at the city hall, get documents translated, and make legal arrangements. Not a terribly lengthy process, but it did require me to miss the first week of class in NY.

It was a beautiful, short, sweet civil ceremony yesterday followed by a walk on the beach front, an apéritif in her parents garden, a tour of a salt marsh and second apéritif, and a great dinner; all activities that I wish my U.S. family and friends could have seen, but hoping that they can catch up on when we have a more grandiose church ceremony at the local Cathédrale Notre Dame next June and after which, Marie and I can give the boot to our current long distance predicament.

I've just returned to NYC approaching midnight and long to get on a return flight to Paris tomorrow. Long distance relationships are terribly difficult (al-Hamdullah for Skype) and further compounded in New York by the romance you see at restaurants, on the street, and indiscriminate locations throughout the city at all hours, but particularly on weekend nights as you're walking home from the gym or library. Hopefully, divine intervention will step into make time pass quickly, extend breaks and holidays, and lower international airline prices. We can all hope. Tu me manques, mon amour.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

congratulations james !!
you really deserve being happy , especially with Marie , she is a great woman . You look very nice wearing the suit .Hope to see you again in our family .
your brother always .hicham