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Since the first e-mail, something strange was built up! It was a weird
sensation to read Jérôme's email, I have never felt this way when I read
other's emails . Before went to the office, Jérôme printed my e-mails
and read it in the subway. And me, I come to the office earlier to be
able to read his e-mails and I went home late to reply his e-mails. It
was delirious!
With Jerome, I could write (talk) about anything, from what I ate that
day, to the political situation of my country :-). I sent him a small
souvenir, and he did the same thing. His pictures were already hanged on
the wall of my bedroom :-). He told me that he had scanned my picture
and used it as the background of his Windows starting page : -). Up till
this moment, both of us weren't dare enough to say "Je t'aime" (I love
you).
The history unfolded more and more! Jérôme invited me to come to France
in February 1996. I was not able to come because the new post of which I
had dreamed since a long time occupied me. It had been a long time that
I dreamed to be a graphic designer. A month after I succeeded having
this post, but with an engagement of no marriage for the first two years
after I sign the contract. This situations pushed us to seriously think
of our relationship, and after the long discussions, tons of e-mails and
phone calls, we made a decision to arrange a visa which allowed me to
come in France for one year, and marry Jérôme during that year. We
thought this was a good decision, because with this Visa we can
anticipate all the bad surprise, and annul the marriage if we wanted
to.
Three months on the new position, I had the obligation to sign the
contract, but of course with the engagement to do not marry during the
first two years. I was in the terrible position for me to choose between
a certain career for my future, and the love for Jérôme.
Finally I chose not to sign that contract and continue the procedure of
the visa for the marriage in France. That choice had overturned my
family, as well as my friends. No one could understand my choice and our
love. No one could understand how I was able to leave my work and be
unemployed for a man that I never had seen before, especially with the
unemployment rate very high in my country!
The procedure for the visa is very long and tiring. We had to prepare
and fill a lot of papers, medical check up, and also some terrible
interviewing to prove that our marriage would not be a white wedding.
That was a little normal, because we never had seen ourselves
physically. That gave a doubt to French authorities in Indonesia. The
waiting time is the most difficult one to bear. Our love had become
bigger and deeper during this difficult situation.
It was already August, and still no news of the visa. Jérôme decided to
come in Indonesia to resolve the visa problem furthermore near... and
especially to see his future spouse that he never seen before! He came
on July 15 1996 for the first time. That gave a surprising reaction from
the parents of Jérôme as well as of his friends. They have all said, "He
is crazy! ". Cyril, his friend who took him to Charles De Gaulle airport
could not believe his decision until Jérôme was really leaving his car
with his luggage!
The day when we met at the airport of Jakarta, was the moment that was
very emotional for us. We kissed and cried. Of course it is strange for
you, because we were only two foreigners. My brother Tony who took me to
the airport could not believe his eyes to see me crying and kissing a
stranger and it's a white man too! No one would understand how happy we
were .
We were so close to each other, we felt like we had already lived
together in the other life. Jérôme asked me to marry him in the train,
which took us to Bandung. He offered me a pretty small necklace, which I
still wear it today. The Conductor couldn't pick a better timing when
Jérôme put this necklace on me, and Jérôme asked him to wait!
:).
We got married in Bandung (August 23rd) because my mother asked us. My
mom was worried for my future and she was not really sure about all of
this, even though she was very welcome, and friendly to Jérôme. We
married just one a week after we met physically! It was a small all
family wedding ceremony at my house which we did not declare to
Indonesian government. It was a madness that made us really happy! Can
you imagine the reaction of Jérôme's parents when he called them on the
phone to announce this unforeseen marriage! Fortunately they are really
likable and have very big heart for the happiness of their son. I am
lucky to have parents in law like them!
We spent the rest of the vacation to try to resolve the Visa, and found
a time for taking a walk in Bandung. The time passed so fast ...way too
fast! My Visa was not ready yet when Jérôme had to return to France.
Again, we were passing through the difficult moment at the airport to
separate, after only three weeks of marriage. We were so sad, cause we
were not so sure whether they will issue me a visa or not. Jerome
decided if the Visa was not ready by the end of that year, he would move
to Indonesia and try to find job here.
My visa was finally issued at the end of September. It permitted me to
come in France to reunite with my "husband", but the suspense was not
over. It was the first time that I left my country, and I did not know
that there was a supplémentaire tax (not an airport tax) of 250.000
rupiah. I did not bring enough cash because I gave all my money to my
family who brought me to the airport. Unfortunately they already had
left the airport when I realized that I needed this money! I was not
able to go that day, and I had to take the next airplane 3 days after.
That was stupid, and I was angry to myself for not knowing about that
fiscal before! Maybe Indonesia is the only country who oblige its own
people to pay the fiscal before quit the country, and it's worst,
because the fiscal was increased 2 years ago 1.000.000 rupiah! It's a
lot of money for Indonesian people. I tried to call Jérôme from the
airport, but he was not home that evening. Later, I found out that he
was at the supermarket to prepare a nice dinner and some surprises for
me.
I was going 3 days later, and I finally arrived in France on the first
of November 1996. That was again an unforgettable moment! I saw his
sweet smile that awaited me in front of gate 23 of the CDG airport.
Everything was fine once I met him.
We got married in the village where Jérôme's parents live on May 23rd
1997. Now we live in Nancy, Meurthe and Moselle, and we have 2 pretty
babies. Sarah was born in Nancy, February 4th 1998 and Marc her brother
one year after, February 10th, 1999. Our happiness is complete and it's
all because of the Internet! "Aneke"
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