George and I started preparing for this formality two weeks before December 2nd. We met with the attorney general's registrar of marriages, Vincent, to find out what the requirements were. One thing Kenya requires is a certificate of no impediment. It's a letter from your state or country saying you have never been married before. I knew this was requested, but I thought we just could get a sworn affidavit in Kenya saying we were single. This would be ok for George, but I had to get mine from the US. Upon hearing this I was panicked. Does the US have such a letter and how would I get this letter while in Kenya? The US has strict privacy laws so I feared they wouldn't release a letter to anyone other than myself.
I called and emailed my mom right away. Fortunately, she responded very quickly to my SOS and was able to get the letter the next day after a trip to the county clerk's office. It was then scanned and sent to me via email. Praise the Lord. I was so relieved. A few return visits to Vincent's office and all our requirements were met. Vincent was very helpful and even invited us for tea during one of our stops. Here is Vincent with me, George and Suzy.
The ceremony was short and to the point.... and very surreal. It was so strange to be sitting there, 11 months after we were the witnesses for Suzy and Andrew. It was also very strange to be saying the vows I have seen so many others say and wondered when it would be my turn. Although this ceremony was a formality and we will consider our wedding date two days later to be our anniversary, it was still special. It was fun to be able to call George my husband after that day.
After the ceremony, Andrew and Suzy took us out for a celebratory lunch where we were joined by George's brother and groomsmen, Dave. Then it was back to the madness of last minute preparations for the wedding.
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