Wakana has accepted my proposal. We are researching the process. I think we will marry in Japan next month. This is a difficult process because of the two nationalities involved plus the oddball system of laws here in Guam. It appears to be simpler to marry in Japan and then bring the paperwork back here.

As for it being a casual statement, well, I was setting up the dramatic pause she was forcing. I don't think I have been too open about our relationship. We've had ups and downs. There have been tearful disagreements and happy days. At one time she was packing a bag to get out of here. We have considerable difficulties caused by our disparate cultures. A casual statement by one can cause deeep misgivings in the other. For example, a while back she was sewing curtains and I was working in the other room. I found a set of curtains my mother had sent me years ago. She'd bought them in a sale. I'd never used them and I wanted her to know we had them. Unfortunately her interpretation of the event was that her work was not good enough and that the curtains were important because they'd been a gift from my mother. It took a while to unravel that problem. However we have forged a tie that includes a resolution to always talk out whatever problems arise, that we will try to be flexible in our cultural differences. We feel good about this.

Another reason it's a casual reference is that I am aready committed to her and she to me. If we were both Americans or Japanese we wouldn't bother with marriage. Unfortunately we have legal issues as well as the love we have for eacch other. The marriage of our souls is an accomplished fact. This is a legal connection that we need to be able to stay together. Without the marriage we can only be together 3 months at a time and neither of us can go to live in the other's country and work.

I hope this doesn't sound too mercenary. It isn't intended to. Theese considerations are secondary to the real reason for the marriage. It is a marriage based in love and tenderness. We do love each other and consider this a lifetime committment.