It's unfortunate that big families of the nineteenth century have gone out of style. One of the real pleasures of such is the constant stream of surprises that parents encounter. Kids can be fun; as they reach adulthood the fun just magnifies.

Our youngest son Colin chose an unusual international lifestyle path. After graduation from Guelph, he found a teaching position in northern Thailand leaving behind a whole raft of friends. Of course those have established families across southern Ontario, complete with an assortment of children. A sizeable core have kept in touch with Colin over the years

In Thailand Colin made friends with another teacher in the school. Yuka, was from Japan and spoke no English while Colin knew no Japanese. Both were learning Thai as they taught their respective subjects. It's amazing that they were able to develop a relationship, communicating only in a strange foreign language.

Colin on return to Canada along with his newfound partner found a position in the banking system in Toronto while Yuka decided on a new career path in languages. She moved to Montreal to learn French while teaching Japanese making many more new friends in the process. Eventually Colin responded to an ad for a teaching position in English as a second language in Tokyo, both returning to Yuka's home territory.

Despite cautious encouragement from both families, neither felt marriage suited their lifestyles.

A few years later they came to Canada for a Christmas vacation in Loretto where they enjoyed the company of the families of Colin's siblings. Back in Japan they asked each other - "Why not?"

When they returned to their respective careers they investigated wedding arrangements. They found a traditional Japanese wedding would cost them over $30,000 It would also cost a similar sum for Colin's extended family and friends in Canada to attend such an affair. The alternative was a trip downtown to sign a register. A 10 minute event culminated with a baseball game and a party at a restaurant in Yokahama china town

Apparently this didn't suffice for the Taniguchi family. On Yuka and Colin's next visit to the family home in southern Japan Colin and Yuka were 'kidnapped' by her two brothers, blindfolded and taken for a drive. They ended up at a marriage chapel, Japanese style.

The facility was complete with hair dresser, a range of styles of wedding dresses, a florist, etc. Colin was ushered in to the barbershop, then fitted with a tuxedo. As part of the conspiracy the family had contacted the couple's Japanese friends to attend the surprise event. And a great time was had by all especially the 'newly re-weds'. The Canadian families were equally delighted to learn of the happy occasion via e-mail the following week.

An interesting sideline to the story was a new development in Colin's career plans. A history of special education for learning disabilities in his earlier years had left his future in limbo. A university education certainly appeared unlikely but after five years in Guelph Colin found himself in a post graduate correspondence course ending with a Master's degree and a promising career teaching teachers in new techniques in English as a second language in Japanese universities.

That won't be the end of it. A celebration for educational successes as well as a Canadian wedding reception is planned for Loretto this year. Plans are well underway to welcome families and friends from across the Pacific Ocean as well as a vast array of relatives and friends from Toronto, Guelph, etc, etc. At last count our front yard reception in Loretto appears to be reaching well over 100 people and promises to be a joyful international occasion.

Not all 'shot-gun' weddings have a happy ending. This 20th century Japanese innovation is one with real meaning for Colin and Yuka as well as both sets of parents and their families and friends in Canada and Japan. We are living in the world of 'Honda'.

This has become a very small world and this new family relationship is one more example of the two sides of the world coming into even closer contact.