I love him

It's not every day that I proclaim my feelings for my husband.  But I do love him very, very much.  When we began dating in Japan, holding his hand in public always made me smile.  Well, until we would hear the comments and see the sneers.  Then I would keep holding his hand, but with a certain stubbornness that my mother has always known I've possessed.

Kissing is not something you see on the streets of Japan.  I have never witnessed teenagers kissing on a park bench or anything similar to that.  A peck hello or goodbye isn't unheard of, but nothing more than that.  I have always respected those social rules, and kept my lips to myself in public (except for the random quick peck).

When we started dating, I did not have a clue that people could and would have a problem with it.  But I quickly learned that in Japan some people were not supportive of interracial relationships.  I didn't understand their opinion, and I still don't.  It disturbs me that people can be so limited in their thinking.

I am very happy to report that after living here for a year, we have not had any of the same negative responses that we dealt with 16 years ago.  I wouldn't say the attitude has completely disappeared, but we just haven't experienced it since moving back.  And I hold his hand as often as I can. 


***************

When my husband read this post, he laughed and asked if there was a reason I wrote about it today.  I didn't have a reason other than the fact that I was inspired by my feelings.  Today November 22 is 11/22 can be read as "ii-fufu".  It is a pun - ii-fufu sounds like the same word as "good marriage couple".  It is a special day for married couples in Japan.  I just never knew...