How did I fall in love with a Japanese man?

I became interested in Japanese people back in high school. I knew a couple of Japanese exchange students. No one would make friends with them, since Japanese were perceived as quiet/shy, and that they seemed to like being on their own. I had a feeling that they would very much like to make friends, so I tried it. I became quite close to these lonely exchange students. They were very thankful and I felt very fortunate.

Since then, I was very interested in Japan and Japanese, but didn't know any Japanese people that stayed in the US. I wanted to study Japanese, but thought that it was way to difficult for me. This was my thought at first, that is, before I met my Japanese boyfriend in college.

My heart was stolen since the first moment I met Makoto. Everything about him was so wonderful. I loved his shy nature, his handsome looks, his humor, his interests, practically everything! I even loved the fact that he never had to wear deodorant and never smelled bad. I loved how he would surprise me with the little things in life! I never knew exactly what to expect and I loved this aspect of being caught by surprise.

Getting ready to marry Makoto

We went through college supporting each other in every way.  I taught him A LOT of English and he helped me with some Japanese and taught me how to make sushi (he was a sushi chef). I helped him get by in the Land of Opportunity, and he gave me so much knowledge about Japan, the culture, language, society, food, a bit of everything. I felt as though I could have lived in Japan and never grow tired of it. In fact, we planned on marrying and living in Japan, at least for a little while. I know he was serious because he took me to Japan one summer to meet his family. He went back to Japan the following summer to tell his family that we would be getting married soon. When he came back to the US, he wouldn't talk to me about what his family said to him about it all. I had a terrible feeling! I helped him through his last year of Engineering school, so that he would have the strength and emotional support he needed to do it. All the while I was busy with my own studies.

Just before he graduated, I helped him find job opportunities so that he wouldn't miss out on a great career. I begged him to go to a job fair in San Francisco. He went and got a job offer instantly with Hitachi Telecom in Japan. It was his dream job, exactly as he had wished for. I encouraged him to take the job! He did and soon after returned to Japan. He told me that I could follow him soon after and to not worry. 

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