Yesterday we received a quite startling email from our friend Yuji. Yuji was Greg's best friend in college and he was the best man in our wedding. We've been waiting for Yuji to find "Miss Right" and get married for quite some time-- and he finally did. Yuji's getting married!

We met Yumi, his fiance, when we travelled to Japan two years ago and again at Yuji's sister's wedding in Hawaii last year. We like her a lot. From a Western perspective, we've wondered why they haven't married yet, but we learned in Hawaii that such matches are not simple in Japan. For Americans, it's about finding somebody that you love and respect and are get along with. In Japan there are other issues dealing with family responsibilities to look at. And since Yuji is the only male heir on his side of the family, the family "match" issues were seen as even more important. We're thrilled that they are making it work.

The hard part? They are getting married in late April. They would love to have us come for the wedding. Certainly Greg has to get there. If the rest of us could join him it would be amazing. Can you imagine how exciting it would be to have our family on our first international trip? And in Japan of all places? And being there for Yuji's special day -- just as he was for ours -- would feel truly special. Greg has begun looking into ticket options (this is the point where I am now thankful for all those business trips Greg has taken that have given him so many miles to play around with). We'll let you know if we logisitically figure it out.