Elope to Hawaii !!

Hawaii Trip October 1 to 8, 2016

Back in early August, we found out that the paperwork for us to get “civilly married”, was going to be next to impossible to get done here in French Polynesia. They wanted documents we did not have and could not get. Then the light bulb went on in Mike's head, “Lets go to Hawaii and see my sister!” So we checked with her and the state of Hawaii to see how hard the paperwork would be to do there. Easy peasy!!

So we applied on line for a marriage certificate so it would be ready by the time we got there. Pat did a “dry run” to make sure she knew where all the offices were that we would need to go and it would be simple to get done.

On October first, we eloped to Hawaii. We did not tell many people, because we were still planning the big Tahitian wedding in December!

It was a great bonus that we were able to spend the whole week with Pat. Her health was not going to allow her to come to Tahiti anyway, so it was the perfect way to solve the problem of being “legally married”.

We made our way to Pat's condo, which overlooks the golf course towards Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.

She was so happy to see her “little” brother. She showed him many photos of when they were kids and other family members already long gone.

She even found a photo of “Amazing Grace”, back before Mike and Tonya left for Mexico.

On Monday morning, she drove us down to pick up our marriage license. Then to the judges chambers where we were married on Mike's birthday, October 3^rd by a Hawaiian Judge. First he told us how important this is.

Then he made sure we were committed to each other.

We exchanged a ring with he and Pat as witnesses.

Sealed with a kiss of course.

He took this photo of the three of us. I want to mention about the leis we are wearing. Gifts from Pat of course, but Mike is wearing two. One for his birthday and one for the wedding. Mine had the most heavenly smells and was the Wahinie wedding lei. (notice in Hawaiian, woman is Wahinie and in Tahitian it is Vahinie).

We used an Opal ring for this wedding, since the black pearl one was not ready yet. Opal is both of our birthstones. I am still wearing my ODU class ring with a diamond, my grandmothers emerald and my Aunt Rhema's watch.

It was a happy and joyous day! Mike said I was the best birthday present he ever got!

The view of Diamond Head from our room at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. This room was a wedding gift from Pat and brother Barry. Thanks you guys, that was so sweet! And nice view!!

We spent the rest of the week shopping for things we could not get in Tahiti, or were at least cheaper in Hawaii than there. Everything out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is expensive, but some things are cheaper in the good ol US of A! Not to mention, West Marine for boat parts!!

Pat took us to her favorite restaurant on the beach at Waikiki for our last breakfast.

From there, is a great view of the local's Va'a paddle and sailing outrigger canoes.

Back at the room we took last fun photos with Diamond Head in the background.

And before we got in the airport shuttle, the bell boy took a photo of us all three together! I gave Pat the shirt off my back, so to speak. Even though she had not been aboard Avatar, she deserved a crew shirt, because she was the best crew we could ever ask for while in Hawaii. Love ya sister! Thanks for an awesome, amazing and wonderful week!!

On the flight South, the tropical puff ball clouds were so lovely with the setting sun reflecting off the sea.

The sun set over the horizon and we arrived back in Tahiti just before midnight.

Back aboard the boat in the anchorage, we slept off the jet lag and fun times for most of the next day. But we woke in time to see the setting sun again.

This time it created a rainbow over Tahiti and we knew we were home again.

It feels so good to know we are connected to Pat by all that water!!