Liyan also likes eating croissants, sometimes, and about some macarons, she likes it, but as she says "a little bit"
By the way, now, she's back and China and I feel also more than sad to not be with her everyday. But well, we did have no choice, just because she had to go back in China to get another visa. I will explain about that process later, and also, I did not have enough money to go there with her...
(what a pity)...
I will tell now about our wedding day, sorry for those last days without news... always thinking too much and the "temper" is sometimes down because she's not here.. well.
Wedding day, Saturday, September 18th.
The morning went so fast !!! I woke up at 7:00 (am, of course ^^) and then, shaved and had shower, as Liyan was still sleeping. When I finished, I said her that she could wake up, just because her brother and her papa wanted to talk with us on QQ at 8:00. They were very happy to see us, and Liyan's papa had a headset with microphone on his head.
We could not stay too long, as we had to prepare, and they wished us all the best for that wonderful day. We also thanked them, and then, went to the hairdresser for 09:00.
Once arrived there, we spent about 1h30 to check for Liyan's haircut and make it very good. The hairdresser (a woman) was very good and gave some advices for Liyan's hairs, because most of people know that chinese hairs are "strong" ^^
In fact, she could do some "loops" in her hairs, and the result was very good ! Liyan really liked it, so did I and another woman who was waiting her "turn", too
Then, we came back home and spent one hour just to "relax". Because we were invited for lunch time at my parent's home
Everything was ready, as our clothes, waiting for us ^^'
Because of the money which was very "little", we had to celebrate the wedding with 20 people, family and friends.
That is very few people, I know, but as I said when celebrating our wedding, man can have one hundred people and may can know only 15% of them, very good. And can also not know who are the other ones. But in our case, we have 20 people who are equal to "Quality". Meaning that quantity does not make quality.
(I'll talk about that later ^^)
When we arrived to my parent's home, my "godfather" was arrived with his 2 daughters, from South of France (a bit more than 5 hours by car). We didn't see them since our holidays in south of France, and his 2 daughters had fun with my daughter ^^
They were very happy to be here, on that special day, and to share that with us. So were Liyan and myself
My grandma offered us some flowers, so did some friends of my parents
my parents also had bought some flowers, even the one to be put in the car, on the "back"?
My ex called my mother to say that she'd arrive late, because the hairdresser was late in fact... so my daughter didn't have anything to eat before arriving to my parent's home... anyway, my mother knew that my daughter could eat with us, even if she'd be late, and so, all was ok... even if some "little stress" could happen because I thought at first that my daughter would be at my parents home before me and Liyan... but not... my ex and my daughter arrived 30 mins later... my ex just said that she had another bus to go back to her home, so she could not stay too much... anyway I didn't have anything to say about that
Later, one of my friends arrived with his girlfriend to my parents home, and the lady helped Liyan for the dress and also, to make up
Some other friends arrived, as the family, too, and we all could see Liyan with her wedding dress.
How beautiful she was !!! I just felt like the wolf in Tex Avery's cartoons, with big eyes and the tongue rolling ^^'
We then prepared to go to the town hall. One of my best friends was waiting for us there, with the translator
About 10 mins later, everybody was with us, and we did some photos just before the wedding. As I was one of his witnesses for his own wedding many years before, I also wanted him to be my witness for my wedding with Liyan. We didn't see each other for almost 2 years, and when we met in front of the town hall, he and his wife were very happy to see me again, and to meet my wife
they were with their 2 children who were very cute, even if one was just like "strange" sometimes (always wanted to touch/hug/ask a kiss (not on the face) to Liyan)
(at 6 years old!)
The translator was very happy to meet us again, as she helped us before with the wedding contract
she talked a bit with Liyan in chinese, and a woman came to us, saying that the previous wedding was late... but as we were ready for our wedding, so we could go... and the previous wedding would then wait... I just thought it was crazy to be late, the day for wedding... was it cancelled or did something happen? anyway, I didn't mind about it, just because I was ready to marry !
Before going into the town hall, some children were asked to help Liyan with her dress ^^ it was very beautiful to see, and some other photos were done, as the music for weddings was beginning
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We then entered in a big room, but the mayor was not here, someone was just here, as substitute, with another woman, whom Liyan and me told before, about the wedding, and the papers needed.
We were 22, children included. Everybody was listening to the mayor, and also, to the translator.
I could guess it was a bit difficult for the translator to say to Liyan everything the mayor was saying in french, but well, she could do it, and Liyan could understand clearly
[attach=2]
When the mayor asked Liyan at first, if she wanted to marry me, Liyan looked at the translator, and said something I did not understand (in chinese)... then, the translator and Liyan laughed, and the mayor said "I guess it is a "yes"? , and the translator said that "of course, Yes!"
Then, the mayor looked at me and asked if I wanted to marry Liyan. I was thinking about that one word which can make all change in so few seconds, making all your life change... then, everybody could hear a "Oui"! (yes) but little "shy", from what my father said to me later...
The mayor looked at Liyan and me, and invited us to fullfill the last papers, saying that now, we are officially married.
The "witnesses"? were also invited to fulfill, and me and Liyan were very happy to finally do it. To do all the process to getting married, and to be able to live together.
Of course, kisses were done, and applauses were also shared to celebrate our wedding.
We then thanked the man who was substituting the mayor and the other woman, and were invited to go outside, with the music for weddings, once again
Many people were waiting for the other wedding and also, looked at Liyan and myself, as my family and our friends did some photos.
I then was thinking to all the stories about the brotherhood, saying to myself that yes, the difficults steps were over, behind us, and that we could now begin our new life, together.
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We did some other photos behind the town hall, with members of my family, and also with some friends and the witnesses. We asked the translator if she wanted to come for having a cup of Champagne, to celebrate our wedding, but as her daughter was back from Singapore, and stayed in Paris only one day, she could not stay with us. I also noticed I had forgotten my "checkbook" at home, because I had to give money for the help done by the translator. She looked at me that I didn't have to worry, that i could send the money later, it was ok. I was a bit disapointed because of my "lack" but well, she said that it was ok and that she wished to Liyan and me all the best and many happyness.
[attach=6]
About 20 mins later, we went back to my parents home, and celebrated the wedding with some Champagne and sweeties, and some other "cakes appetizers"
My daughter had some fun to play with the other children and to do some photos with me and Liyan
One of our friends really liked my daughter, and also did some photos with her.
[attach=5]
Everything was just PERFECT to me, and I could begin to "distress" a little bit...
As the afternoon was ending slowly, we went to the restaurant, in a beautiful place in fact. The hotel is a 3*, and has also a very good restaurant.
Once there, we waited for some of the friends (one of them was lost, he couldn't follow us, so he had to use his gps... ) even if he lived before not far away from the restaurant and also knew before how to go there.. haha)
All the family and friends who came, took many photos and were very happy to celebrate our wedding
some of my friends kidding me, saying "finally, you did it! you are now married ! congratssssssss!!" or "haha, who could think that one day, you would be married? ^^" or also "wow... so far to find your love. But it is a very beautiful lovestory !! Congrats" !!!
Liyan and me were just more than happy.. as if we would be flying...
[attach=8]
I know I encountered many difficulties, and once again, I would again thank all of the brotherhood for your PRECISOUS ADVICES and COMMENTS because it is really helpful !
Man can not "permit" to go in China, hands in the pockets, without any knowledge about china or chinese customs (and habits), nor than talking a little bit chinese...
I also was thinking about all of you, who have lived that wedding with your chinese love before, or who also dream to marry, later.
I remembered about my first meeting with Arnold and Qing, saying to myself "one day, I hope to live the same with Liyan".
And so, here we are... Now married ^^
The dinner at the restaurant was very good
(seafood, meats, steack for children and some potatoes, vegetables, orange juice and coke, and for us, wine (rosé, red and white wine). Some music was played, because a dj works for the restaurant since 30 years. My parents know him just a little bit and we were introduced to him one week before our wedding. He was very happy to meet Liyan and said that I was very lucky (should I really believe him?
) We talked a little bit that we were coming back on next week, because of our wedding. And so, he asked if we liked some songs.. and Liyan said "Babylon"... so I told the DJ about that famous song from Boney M "by the rivers of Babylon", and then, less than 30 secs later, he put the music on, and Liyan was very happy
We were 2 tables, because we did not have choice. The restaurant said at first that we had "time" to book for the wedding day, that we could wait 2 weeks easily before booking. But when I was back from my holidays in south of france, the restaurant said "we are full, sorry
"... it is my fault, I should had given some money to book.. But well, a man who had to call there later to confirm his booking, didn't call, and so... we had luck to celebrate our wedding there.
Everybody liked the place, the food, the drinkings, and also, could dance
What else so ask, for a wedding day? Seeing everybody happy, sharing the most important day of my life with them, gave me more than happyness.
Later, we were asked, for the dessert, to say something. I then woke up and said that we wanted at first thanking everyone to be here, with us, celebrating our wedding. That, in fact, we were maybe few people. But there was quality. Everybody was happy, so we were, too. That yes, we finally did it, and I lost some words because I became a bit shy... (the tears could had come but I hided it by showing a big smile instead)
Liyan then woke up and we shared our drink together
[attach=1]
Champagne !!!!
(wow, the champagne was very good !!!!) ^^
Family and friends applaused, as the cake for the wedding day was being "cut" for all of us.
A bit later, we heard a famous song... from Boney M, so we went on the dancefloor, to dance ^^
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Liyan was so happy for all of that, and that is was I really wanted. To do everything I could/can, to make her happy, even if her family could not be with us. Plus, her family was to another wedding, in China.
No webcam with them, so.
The wedding day finished with the family and friends after 02:00 am, and we thanked again all of them to have been here, with us.
Later, we went back home.
How wonderful it is, to bring your wife back home. Saying that now, man is married, has a wife, and can also see the love is really powerful.
Liyan looked at me, seeing me with a big smile, and we talked a bit about all the things we went through, and that before, she would never thought that one day, she would marry with a french man. But that she was really happy with me and to have found the righteous one for her.
I don't have to say what happened next, except that we went sleeping (haha)
