Big News!!

Heather | Day by Day by... | Friday, 17 September 2004

I know I’ve been MIA for a bit now but I’m back and armed with a new medium of communication! I just started with this so it’s all in it’s basic form now but hopefully with some time and patience I will make it my own!

After a rough August full of discovery, the subsequent growing pains between Isseki and I, and my grappling with serious self-worth issues stemming from my new role in life – I arrived in September with a more positive outlook, a stronger relationship and feeling like I was falling in love with Isseki again. I began posting my resume on various job sites and researching the job market again. I found a local organization that provides information and assistance to foreigners of all nationalities living in Japan and began volunteering there. I applied for a job working on their newest issue of “Living in Kobe” book. I did a trial lesson for two different conversation schools in the area. Oh the wonders just leaving the house and feeling like you have options can do for the psyche!

Then, with only 10 days left until my return flight to the states, Isseki informs me I should be as pretty as I can be and ready to leave the house at 6:30 – gulp! He hails a cab (which he never does) and we are dropped off in front of this gorgeous Japanese style garden gate. An ultra formal, cordial staff greeted us and led us through a maze of rooms to our table overlooking the garden. Champagne. Course after course of gorgeous salads, fish, pasta, and vegetables. Then we were invited to the terrace to have dessert. Outside the temperture was hinting at autumn and we were illuminated only by the garden torches. We ordered some coffee and desert and Isseki started to fidget. Look over his shoulder, pick up his backpack, look over the shoulder again, put it back down…and stammering, “um, I know this isn’t exactly as it should be, and isn’t perfect, but i need you’re help to make it perfect…” then lights flickered in the doorway and some of the waitstaff appeared in front of us with a gigantic dessert decorated with sparklers! They placed the plate in front of me and I saw, “Heather, will you marry me?” written in chocolate syrup along the edge!! I broke my ‘no pda in japan’ vow immediately and everyone started clapping and “omedetou”-ing! (congratulations) Then Isseki took out a small box from his bag, wrapped in gold paper with a message handwritten in Japanese on the top, “Isseki-san, please use this for a ring for your bride or, if you don’t get married, a tie pin. May 2, 1988. Grandma & Granpa”. I opened it to find the most beautiful diamond I’d ever seen!! Not that I’ve seen many diamonds – but this one was definitely a beauty!
“So, what do you say?”
“Yes!”

I’ve been grappling with how to announce it ever since! Of course I had to get my parents on the phone and meet with Isseki’s parents first, and the few people who have caught me online for a chat or phoned themselves also know…but here it is – officially: 白井一石　Shirai Isseki and Heather Mary Steere are engaged! The wedding is tentatively planned for early April 2005 but nothing is for certain now…

I’ll return to the states to get myself prepared to relocate AGAIN and Isseki is planning to join me on October 1st in order to subject himself to the scrutiny of my family and friends. Be nice.

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