Thanks for all the good advice.
I arrived in Wuhan a couple of days ago. What a couple of days it's been.
Before I tell my story I need to make it clear that YaYa and I are good friends. We have been writing on a daily basis for about nine months. It was always just friendly chatter, and to me, nothing more than that. So I know her very well. The first time I knew for sure that it meant a lot more to her was when I told her I was going to visit my friend in Zhuhai. So I know her very well already. She is 33 years of age, divorced with no kids, she's completing a Masters degree in Linguistics next month and speaks pretty good English.
When I arrived YaYa was at the airport waiting for me. I had told her that my plane was running late, but she said that she would come anyway, because it was a pleasure to wait for me. We arrived and I saw her there. It was lovely to see her. She had cold drinks for us and then she took us to central Wuhan.
When we arrived she had already booked the hotel room and her mother and father was there to greet me. As soon as we arrived they arranged for the restaurant to send food up to our room. So much food! *laughs*
Then YaYa and her friend, me and my daughter went for a walk together looking out at the shops. Then we went out for coffee and played cards and laughed till late in the night.
The next day she picked us up from the hotel room. She took us all around the sights in Wuhan, the crane tower and a buddhist temple.
Then we came back to a restaurant and had a wonderful meal with her whole family. It was such a lovely time. They bought a birthday cake for me and it was just a such a good time.
After that we went back to her parent's house. We felt so welcome. They are just so incredibly welcoming, warm and friendly. We learned how to play Mahjong and some other card games.
It was lovely to spend time with YaYa. She is such a gentle, kind and soft hearted person.
We were so spoiled over there. We did not spend one cent for the whole time we were there. Even though they are so poor, they paid for the hotel room, the taxis, the restaurant, the visits to the tourist sites. No matter how much I argued they would not accept my offer for anything.
I cannot honestly say I have fallen in love with her. But the fact of the matter is that she is just perfect. She is such a good and gentle person. She is sweet and kind and thoughtful. So soft spoken. She works hard and wants to be a primary school teacher. She looks lovely. I am pretty sure she would be ready to move to Australia. I cannot imagine that I would find a better wife. I suppose I could keep looking, but I can't imagine that I would find anyone that would ever be a better wife for me. It is stupid to always want to be with someone who is always out of reach, who is has so many reasons why it isn't going to happen. I should be with someone who wants to be with me, who wants to make me happy too.
I am a little worried the way I am doing this. Sometimes people fall head over heels in love and then think about the suitability of the object of their affection afterwards. In my case I think that I have found someone that loves me dearly, who would be wonderful to live my life with. I think the feelings will follow, as I start to spend time with her and get to know her more as something more than just a friend.
My daughter just loves her and her family. She had such a lovely time visiting and they made such a fuss of her.
I am planning to return to Wuhan in mid December.
I had a long, long, and very embarrassing talk with her father and mother about what my intentions were in relation to their daughter. I explained what I had in mind and I think what I said satisfied them. They both told me that YaYa is a good and kind person and that if we were to marry, they would support the match.
I think sometimes opportunities come your way and you have to take them when they're there. Life is short. There is still a long way ahead of us. So I don't think I am am rushing things. After I visit in December it is only fair that I decide then whether to proceed with this, or walk away. I think this is the right thing, but I will take one day at a time.
Danny
