Yuri is Married!

About 25 years ago, a young Japanese mother named Kimie (Kim-ee-ay) brought her three children with her to the United States as part of a friendship ambassador exchange program that was sponsored by President Carter called the Friendship Force. Kimie and her daughter Yuri, and two sons Junichi and Kenichi stayed with our family for two weeks. We have written to each other often and stayed in touch. We have marvelled at the emphasis the Japanese put on education and how important it has been for their family. All of the children studied in special schools for what has seemed like an eternity compared to our educational system. Kimie's last letter was all about the marriage of her daughter Yuri to Ryosuke. Here is a picture of Ryosuke's father and mother on the left and Masayuki and Kimie on the right as they join with the bride and groom to smash the lid on a wooden barrel with special wooden hammers. Why they do this is not clear to me, but it is all part of what appears to be a very formal celebration of the marriage of these two. It must have taken hours for Yuri to get her hair put up and get dressed in her fancy white kimono. We all (well maybe some of us) remember the fun we had with them when they were here. The kids were cute and adorable then - they are successful and prominent people in their communities now. Kimie doesn't look any any older than she was 25 years ago. We wish Yuri and Ryosuki will enjoy their new marriage together and wish their families well. Our lives have been blessed as we have been able to share our experiences with each other.