Letter from father-in-law
Kane Nakamura
Builder of "Culture of Learning" | Course Facilitator & Coach | Lifelong Learner | Multiculturer 🇺🇸 🇯🇵 🇨🇳 🇭🇰
Here is an unforgettable event which occurred when I was going out with my wife.
A letter from a father-in-law was on the table when she came home from a trip we went to.
The letter was full of a parent's heartfelt love and care for his daughter.
Now that I’m a parent myself, I can put myself into his shoes and understand such feelings.
24 years ago, I was fascinated by the story of the men who protected the Yakusugi cedar trees, featured on the TV program, "Project X."
Inspired by show, I decided to spend New Year’s on the Yakushima island.
My in-laws allowed the trip because they understood that our intention was to climb Yakushima island together.
I went to Kumamoto to pick up her and greeted her parents and relatives.
I still clearly remember her grandfather’s smiling words, “Please take good care of my granddaughter.”
It was a moment that felt like a quiet promise for the future was being made.
Since then, we planned trips almost every month, visiting various places.
Without much thought for her parents’ concerns, I naively assumed that “As long as we tell them in advance, they’ll be okay with it.”
Looking back, It was a reckless attitude.
6 months later, our 7th trip was to Kyoto. On that trip, I proposed her to marry with me. (Thankfully, she said, "yes".)
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She was excited to share the news with her parents. But when she got home, she found a letter on her desk - a letter from her father, the first one she had ever received from him.
The letter says:
“I’ve allowed your trips so far, wishing for your happiness together. But if Kane doesn’t talk about the future on this trip, please understand that I cannot support your next trip.”
She immediately sent her father a short text message for the first time: “Dad, I’m sorry for making you worry. He proposed to marry with me.”
Shortly after, her father replied, using emoji for the first time.
“It seems I was worrying for nothing. Congratulations.😊”
23 years have passed since then.
One day, I was visiting to see my parents-in-law. And, I was with my father-in-law in the car.
I thought it is the time. And, I said to him.
“I'm sorry for the worries I caused at that time. And, many thank you for that letter."
He warmly said.
"It's alright."
It was a slightly awkward atmosphere between us but truly touching moment.
I'm so glad to say what I've got to say finally after all these years.
Customer Success Manager (Bilingual JP & EN) / Passionate about making those who believed in me look brilliant
4moなんと!とてもドラマチックで記憶に残る展開ですね!
CFO and Sales Executive
4moWhat a story... You followed where your heart was going, your girlfriend at the time was wanting to know you more, so she followed. The father in law should be seeing how she was changing, and he probably wanted to give her a chance to recognize. All the sudden, the turning points of three of you came at the same time. I can imagine how emotional you were when you talked to your father in law on this, later. He could be. Such memories further should enrich your life for sure, and moreover, such attitude has certainly been making positive impacts to all who you have met. I am one of them. We are thankful for your kindness, which are always touchy.