Getting married at the age of 20

My nephew, Kola, is getting married.

People get married every minute in the world, so I suppose it's nothing too special.

But it's still a very big deal in my family.

Kola is special.  First of all, his parents are from Nigeria and Taiwan.  They met and got married and raised their 2 sons in the States.  And now Kola is going to marry Olivia, a lady from Tamsui, Taiwan.  The wedding will be here in Tamsui, Taiwan.  Kola's father has flown from Nigeria to attend this wedding, his mother from Connecticut and his brother from Ohio (the state where I studies 20 years ago and where my cousin works now).So this is a very international business.

Kola is special also for he's only 20 years and 4 months old.
Kola turned 20 in the past August and he got married on December 14.
.
Some family members have had mixed feelings about this.

People, including me, have doubts about whether getting married at age 20 is too young.  Kola graduated from high school 2 summers ago and he decided to first came to Taiwan to attend a Bible program with Youth With A Mission.  He met Olivia, his new-wed wife, at the program in Taiwan, who is a native of Tamsui, Taipei, Taiwan.  They were engaged on Kola's 20th birthday and got married 4 months later.

As it turned out, the wedding and the reception was  very warm and joyful.  Kola's parents and brother and Kola himself had given mini speeches at the reception.  Very nice talks, touching and full of feelings.  Ola, the father, proposed a silence in the very beginning to remember my deceased Dad.  He then mentioned and thanked each one of my family, Mom, me and the youngest sister, brother-in-law and even Christina (my friend) and Nelson (my student). Ola remembered and mentioned the most exact details--Fuji's handkerchief, Nelson's fried eggs...)And lastly, he thanked the groom's mom, his wife, my elder sister--a magical woman who always brings out the best in each person.  He said his parents came to visit them only once in Connecticut decades ago, but now they still cherish the sweet memories of the time spent with her, the daughter-in-law.  The speech was full of genuine gratitude.  Jennifer (groom's wife) recalled the year of 1999, when the Y2K bug was an issue and Kola, then only 6, was concerned if the bug would attack them, he asked his brother in the back seat.  And now the mom was amazed that this 6-year-old innocent boy was getting married.  She opened and ended up the speech with the same expression--"I love you, Kola!"  It was a little longer than what she intended to make it as Kola demanded--2 minutes.  A great mini speech.  And then Arthur, the big brother, who has been the groom's best brother in life.  Arthur said they learned to do many things when they were young--football throw, skateboard...But now it came to a time the big brother has nothing to offer this younger brother---getting into married, since Arthur, 4 and a half years older, is still single.  Kola said his parents, both being the first generation in the States, worked very hard and which had set a great example for him.

Kola has made a video clip entitled "I love you" with photos of him and Olivia for the past 2 years.  He even composed a song and sang the song.  People from YWAM sang a song for Olivia to Kola "You're the best decision I made".  Both songs were beautiful, for the rich love there.  Olivia was crafted and she decorated the hall and the tables with great paper art works.

Relatives from both the bride and groom's families are not many, but the church was full and the reception was a full house event, too.  Because their other family --YWAM, is big.  I was told that there are about 150 in YWAM, Taipei.  It is a big family of God and they have organized a great wedding and reception.  I feel so amazed and full of fear and gratitude to the good Lord for all YWAM has done.  Kola's home is far, but God has prepared a most wonderful family for Kola and Olivia right here in Taiwan.

Arthur returned to his work the next day after the wedding.  Ola and Jennifer will fly back to Africa and America 2 days later.

The wedding and the reception is over.  But God's glory stays bright.  May it warm and bright up each one of us who managed to be there.