Merry Matrimony

DAY 6 - 

OBSERVE THE POWER OF LOVE - 'Where there is love miraculous things can happen.' There are no words that can perfectly encompass the moments of true joy shared on Sunday 24th April 2016. You can quote starry-eyed sonnets or sing lovey dovey ballads but they won't hold a candle to Jamie and Johannah's (Enhan is her Chinese name) incandescent, dream day. The sun unexpectedly put in a surprise appearance to shine for our sweet lovebirds; it was forecast to rain so the amber rays were gladly received. Fortunately, it remained a beautiful day for getting married! I had to take a minute to let the magic milestone sink in as it was surreal to think that we were in China, on the most important occasion in their lives. 

My new sister/mei mei (as they say in China for 'little sister'), Johannah was a radiant bride in all 3 of her stunning dresses with super high, glitzy golden shoes and Jamie scrubbed up well too. All beamed from ear to ear even when glistening tears would trickle down our cheeks. Joe was a dashing best man alongside Johannah's brother who too was cool and suave, each very dutiful to the groom. Was there a girl at Wangjiang who wasn't wowed by my youngest bro? NO! He acquired a bit of a fan club made up of the two bridesmaids, hired musicians and Jamie's co-workers!! 

BIG KUDOS TO THE PEEPS WHO MADE EVERYTHING SO PRETTY - Did the wedding planners have some sort of fairy dust?? The landscaped hotel grounds were enchanted into a masterpiece with decorative details personalised for the bride and groom. Though a low key event it was not; a classy affair of hand picked, exquisite bouquets and elegant 'J & J' initials arranged of roses enhanced the beauty and honoured the sanctity of the union. Petals were strewn either side of the aisle, freshly cut, tangerine coloured blooms adorning glass baubles were fastened to trees and balloons tied onto our chairs billowed in the breeze, like something out of a Disney movie. My favourite feature was the breathtaking, floral bridal arch, serving as an altar front and centre. 

Unusually perhaps, the majority of the official photographs were taken before the actual nuptials so Jamie saw his blushing bride sooner than a groom traditionally would. Documenting the winsome charm and glamour of the wedding would have been a piece of cake since all the trimmings were picture perfect. The photographers were funny issuing out directions with their limited English 'look here!', 'cheese!!' as was the videographer, sniffing around to capture personal points in time while zooming in dangerously close. The lads were instructed to lark around and toss their suit jackets up in the air!! The family snapshots in our cute outfits through the 'Just Married' stand alone frame stirred up pride; I pulled it together as I had to be fine, not wanting to ruin the pictures with tear-stained smudgy make up! 

THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SMILES WERE GIVEN - Instead of offering doses of sage wisdom to my little bro, we had some sibling silly selfies and bear hugs all round. We wouldn't have missed being here, not for all the tea in China. It was truly an honour for Dad to be asked to perform the proceedings and because he cared so much about doing the ceremony justice, he had a weep reading over their vows before it had even begun! To be in attendance and witness Jamie and Johannah share their souls one with another was a cause for exultation. 

As the number 8 is considered the luckiest in Chinese culture, the service did not begin until 12.08pm as this should bring prosperity and wealth. Just when it seemed like Johannah was about to walk down the aisle to One Direction or Moves like Jagger (some of the songs on I-Pod shuffle) which had the congregation rockin' as it boomed through the speakers; a sudden switch to the bridal march reminded us why we were gathered. The sweetness of a father walking his daughter down the aisle always touches me and this was no exception. 

MY HEART GREW IN MY CHEST - Before the holy alliance, the English and Chinese translators profoundly verbalised 'People are always searching for something, probably happiness or true love. We will never know where we will meet the right person, probably around the corner, or probably still on the way.. we keep waiting for them.' It was expressed how Jamie and Johannah had met each other by chance, that love beats everything and how they combine as two true hearts. '8800 kilometres in distance between Chengdu and the United Kingdom and finally they combine as a real family today..' Such tender truths really struck a chord with me, how Jamie had loved Johannah so much that he had left the European continent to be with her. 

Love is not a science but I like to believe my brother and his dear wife were guided by fate to be together. Johannah's papa embraced both in a hug to 'hand her over' to his new son-in-law and the affection he had for both warmed my heart. Jamie pledged to take care of his daughter her whole life; I trust that Johannah is in good hands. My father spoke of how Johannah will keep Jamie in order and choked back emotion as he testified that it is she who has made him the man he is today. Continuing that his eldest son who was for so long a quiet, shy, homesick boy .. but love changes everything.. and that boy followed Johannah halfway around the world. Dad was glad Jamie followed his dream.. and today it comes true.. I had a wee tear or fifty and Mum was blubbering right from the off!

IT DOESN'T ONLY HAPPEN IN THE MOVIES - Johannah's speech was beautiful, eloquent and sincere which demonstrated her genuine feelings for Jamie. She conveyed that she hadn't felt nervous until she wrote these words down. Jamie asked her 'why did you choose me?' her reply was imparted 'because you are the most kind person I have ever met'.. Johannah communicated other reasons being that Jamie is patient, warm-hearted and would give a hand to strangers, generous, and single-minded as he could 'eat only dumplings for one week!' Johannah had wondered if maybe his brain capacity is too small to love her and only her :D Vowing to help him achieve his dreams, care for and love him, always to remain friends and cherish each other; she had searched her feelings and knew them to be true. 

Jamie's tears set us off again during his heartfelt vow; so much so that Johannah had to wipe his runny nose with her hand - now *that's* true love right there! He promised before us all to always stand by her, his angel.. and light of his life. Since Johannah came into his life she became his world 'I treasure you, I adore you, I love you endlessly, eternally.. to share a lifetime and longer with you will give me the greatest joy'.. Confiding that he'd been waiting a long time for this day to come and how he can't wait to see what the future holds but knows it will be bright and beautiful. I cried for the third time as he affirmed that he hadn't seen life turning out this way but is happy it will be spent with Johannah, 'my best friend, my wife, my Mrs Montigue.' Woooo and with that, they gave each other their heart and sealed it with a kiss as Mr and Mrs. 

WHAT MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD DOESN'T LIKE SPHERICAL INFLATED RUBBER BAGS? After a 3, 2, 1 countdown, the entire assembly released green and yellow balloons (some of which got stuck in trees) out into the universe which was representative of our best wishes for the couple. To me this also symbolized that hope can arise anew out of the blue :) Jamie and Johannah threw her beauteous bouquet together out to the throng of starving singletons (including males, as that is customary here), Amy was close to catching it but lost out to one of Jamie's fellow teachers. If enthusiasm factored into the winning attempt, Amy would have had it hands down!! 

One teeny uh oh hiccup was -- lots of the pretty sweetie tins were left behind by chocolate-less amateurs:D It hadn't been announced for guests to collect their wedding favours and so the tokens of gratitude were left in the sun thereby melting the chocs. Still at least the twosome were spared of any real disasters as everything else went swimmingly. 

HOGWILD AT THE RECEPTION BUFFET - The fancy pants Phuket Island Restaurant made all my dining dreams come true with an exceptional array of entrees. Realising, I should really eat more of the green stuff considering the greasiness which had thus far graced my lips on this holibubs; I sought out plenty of veggie choices to please my appetite. I was in ice cream heaven with jackfruit and blueberry ripple flavours; several scoops gamely fell down my gullet! Sadly, the party people left almost straight after they'd been fed so there wasn't a first dance, nor toasts to the happy couple. 

Jamie and his better half delicately cut the sinfully scrumptious fruity, cream cake but it is not a tradition of the country to serve slices to guests. Johannah had pieces boxed up for us to partake in, satisfying my penchant for pud. Whoa baby, it was a darn good one at that! No chocolate was needed to ruin a perfectly decadent gateaux! According to my cake-ciations, it will come at great personal cost to my physique.

There is a custom of presenting red envelopes as a monetary gift to signify goodwill to the spouses. The colour red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring fortune. We read Jamie's speech to us and his in-laws as he hadn't had the chance to deliver it at the reception. His words were very moving as he'd bared his soul on paper.  It was a shame we didn't get to meet all Johannah's relatives but we enjoyed the company of her cousin Ava, her parents and befriending the cute babies. I hated to see the day end!

HOW SERENDIPITOUS! - The bride and groom were destined to meet.. We couldn't be happier to have flown across the world to be with Jamie and Johannah for this special, joyous day. I'm especially thankful to Jamie's adorable wife for making him blissfully elated and that she has built up his confidence. It hasn't sunk in that my younger brother is now married to the woman he cherishes but it was incredible to be there celebrating their wedding. I couldn't be prouder or more excited for the start of their new life (though yes, a little envious - I won't deny it... one day maybe soon, the stars will align for me..I hope!) even if he was a soppy puppy. Good on you for wedding Johannah before she had a chance to escape :P I know that they will shape each others lives immeasurably with impermeable devotion and charity. May your lives be as full of love, as the skies are with birds xxx