TWO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WORLD

As you can imagine, it is no easy feat connecting our families.

Kai and I are both big family people, and it is important for both of us that our families know each other and eventually grow connected.

This time, of the 130 odd guests that came to the wedding, only two of them were from Kai's side of the family, his mom, Joanna, and his sister, Albby.

Kai and I will spend a lifetime coming up with ways to make the world smaller :)

Taiwan x Jamaica.

For the last few days Kai's family were in Jamaica, we took them to the North Coast to enjoy some nature. Finally it was just the four of us so that we could get some bonding in, too.

Māma relaxed more than she ever had.

Kai shared parts of him he usually keeps hidden.

Albby let go of past doubts and resentments.

I was experiencing my new family and its more vulnerable dynamics largely for the first time.

After the wedding our main priorities were:

1. getting Kai's family acquainted with Jamaica and her beaches
2. letting our two families spend as much time together as possible.

We think we were able to accomplish both pretty well.

Kai and his sisters were very concerned that Kai's mom (māma) wouldn't be able to keep up and would feel uncomfortable around the crowd, especially since her English was limited.

Their concern was unfounded, though, because māma had the best time. She easily navigated new social spaces with grace. The language barrier was like nothing to her! We were all very proud. To illustrate the point further, many of my family members check in on her with me because she left such a warm impression on them.

...I say this to everyone but, there is something special about Jamaica.

She has the power to open hearts and heal wounds.

She brings what's important into perspective.

Albby is a city girl and wasn't expecting to enjoy herself as much as she did this trip.

One of her stories is going to our favourite place in Portland, Berrydise. Berrydise is a hostel on a banana farm only accessible by bamboo raft, right on the Rio Grande. It's our favourite place in the world because you can feel the mystic in the air there, with a bougie way to enjoy real open nature.

But of course, it's also muddy, the internet is weak, there are lots of critters, and the power isn't so consistent.

For most of the way there, Albby was feeling annoyed and frustrated. But when she got to the massive waterfall waiting for her just a stone-throw from the Airbnb, she wiped that frown right off her face.

"I knew I had to shut up," she said. The nature and its beauty was well worth it.