Married

OK, here goes.

Thursday: I was a little nervous. Strike that, I was pacing the apartment and totally unable to settle. Clarissa was working in her clinic until lunch time and I had nothing to do until 5pm- Zero Hour.

So, I expect Clarissa back for lunch, but she's late, 12pm goes by, 1pm goes by and at 1:30 I start calling around for her. Her phone is dead, her parents haven't heard from her and I can't remember which clinic she's at (as her schedule changes often) so Nirlei (Clarissa's Mum) calls both. Now, I'm worried, Nirlei is worried, Cezar (Dad) is worried and the clinics are both worried.

At 2pm, Clarissa arrives back at the apartment, having been shopping for a wedding dress and failed to inform anyone.

I was both relieved and annoyed, I think in equal measure.

Anyway, so, we get dressed, I'm in a new white shirt, black waistcoat, black/dark purple tie, black trousers and black shoes (very smart-will send photos when we get them) and Clarissa is radiant in her White Dress (which she already had- she couldn't find a new dress) and off we go to the Cartorio (Registry Office).

Cezar and Nirlei are there waiting, the translator is there (as meu Portuguese esta pochino), there are two other couples in line too and we're waiting on Luciana and Mauricio (Sister and brother-in-law to be) to arrive. They end up being 10 minutes late.

So, in we go.

The judge lady stands behind her desk, the translator to the side and Clarissa and I are surrounded by family and on with the show.

Do you? Yep!

Do you? Yep.

Good stuff, ya married!

They asked me in Portuguese, our translator was a little slow and given that I was a bit nervous and very eager, I answered, "I do". I couldn't even comprehend the Portuguese and was far too excited to wait.

Kiss.

Long kiss.

Then a few more words, sign the papers, take a few photos (there was professional photographer there) one in front of the Brazilian flag for fun and off we went to the pub, nibbles, beer, lots of beer, shaking David photos and now I am a married man.

Done.