**Surprise, Surprise!!** Big Announcement

[wolf_Q]

A belated congratulations to you. I hope you have a wonderful life together!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Anybody heard from the new bride?

[CathyBogart]

I'm coming late to this thread...but congratulations! I hope things went wonderfully and get better every day!

[popcornbird]

Anybody heard from the new bride?

Here I am.

What a wonderful week this has been. Truly wonderful. The ceremony was lovely, and the days after it, even more lovely. He just left this morning, after many hugs and tears. I never knew it was possible to love a person this much. It is just...such an amazing feeling. He plans on coming back to visit in a month or two. We'll see. For now, I miss him so much. We had such a wonderful week together, and I can't thank God enough for giving me such a wonderful guy to share my life with.

Just thought I'd update you all. I'm off to bed...got no sleep last night at all. The whole family was awake all night, just yakking as he packed. I can't wait till the wedding, and to start life with him. Its the one thing I am SO looking forward to now. I have never been so happy in my life. The tiels are happy with him too. The feeling of having someone to love, share life with...someone you can call your OWN is just amazing. I am loving this feeling. Can't wait till the wedding in summer 2006.

[sandragonfly]

aw poppy!! (((hugs)))

first, POPGRATULATIONS!!!

your life sounds so great, so will be popcorn & muffin's too! sounds like mr. perfect too, so happy for you.

best wishes!
..gina & the whole trumpeting ark ..

[Barbara]

Popcornbird- that sounds wonderful. I am happy for you that you are in love

Enjoy it because love changes. It will always be love but it will be different later. So you reallly have to enjoy your love now- and look forward to the way it changes

[krazyaboutkatz]

Popcornbird, I'm glad to hear that the wedding went well and that you're so happy and so much in love. May you both have a wonderful life together.

[Cincy'sMom]

Congratulations!!!

[finn's mom]

I am loving this feeling. Can't wait till the wedding in summer 2006.

Yay! I love hearing this! Hey, I have a question, and, I apologize if you've answered it somewhere already. Were you allowed to be alone with him once you were married in the ceremony or do you still have the third person with you? I couldn't remember if you said that only changed once you were starting your life together, or once you actually got legally married? This is all very interesting to me, and, I thank you for being so open about the process! Congratulations, this is so cool for you.

[caseysmom]

PCB, Congratulations! I wish you many many years of health and happiness in your marriage.

[NoahsMommy]

Sweet Poppy, I'm SOOOOO excited for you. You seem genuinely happy and I'm so glad your life is working out the way you wanted it to go.

You both sound like wonderful people and like you deserve each other. I'm sooo thrilled and happy for you, honey.

I apoligize for not being around to read this or congratulate you sooner. You've been in my thoughts though.

Hopefully we can chat soon.

Lots of love,
Kelly

xoxoxxo

[popcornbird]

Yay! I love hearing this! Hey, I have a question, and, I apologize if you've answered it somewhere already. Were you allowed to be alone with him once you were married in the ceremony or do you still have the third person with you? I couldn't remember if you said that only changed once you were starting your life together, or once you actually got legally married? This is all very interesting to me, and, I thank you for being so open about the process! Congratulations, this is so cool for you.

He he. We can be alone together now that we're married. We won't be starting life together until he's done with his education and we're both ready to take on the responsibility that comes with marriage, but legally, we are now married, and can be alone with each other. It was fun while he was here. He and I would go to the park together...sometimes the mall, and just spend time with each other. It was SO nice, and now that he left, I'm pretty sad. Can't wait till he comes and visits again. My brother's going to Massachusetts to visit him in December. I 'want' to go with him, but he has roommates, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go and stay with him when there are other guys there...so...I have to stay home. Wah. He'll be visiting in January though.

Thanks so much everyone.

[slick]

Pops....I can't tell you how it warms my heart to hear your story of the marriage. You are such a special person and deserve all the happiness that life can offer. So, now I have some questions because obviously I know nothing of your culture except what we've been priviledged to hear from you. And since there will be another wedding ceremony next year......

What did you wear and what colour? Since we won't see pictures would love to know. I can only imagine how beautiful you are!
Was there a wedding party with bridesmaids and all the glimmer or will that wait until summer 2006?
Did you exchange engagement and wedding rings?
So you are legally married but not living together. Does that mean that he can claim you as a dependant?
Does your culture see you as legally married or will that wait until the second ceremony?

I too say I'm sorry if you've answered these before. I've been working long hours and have trouble keeping up with all that's happening here.

{{{hugs}}}

[popcornbird]

Slick, in answer to your questions...

I wore a maroon-ish dress with golden embroidery/designs on it. Not a traditional wedding dress...that will wait until the wedding party in the summer. I don't think we really have bridemaids, culturally. Not in the sense of a typical Western marriage anyway.

We did exchange rings. He can legally claim me as a dependant, as I am now legally his wife, and that is recognized by the government. I think all one needs is a marriage certificate for that. Our culture/religion sees us as married. The ceremony we had at the mosque is the main thing, and what makes us 'legally' husband and wife. The city recognizes religious marriages like that. We had to have the ceremony before we could have the legal documents from the city. We can be together now if we want to be, but with our current circumstances, it is best that we wait to start life together until he is done with school/has a job. We just had a small ceremony with our closest friends, but the big wedding will be the party we have before we start life together. It is kind of difficult to be so far from him right now. We're on the phone 24/7...something you can all probably tell, because I'm not getting any time for PT. Hope this answers your questions.

[finn's mom]

Thanks so much everyone.

No, thank you! This thread is really interesting. I'm just now getting back to it, though, so, I just saw your answers. Very cool.