You are the person I like most in the world.

All those I've written about were the happenings of my Michigan stay in September 2018.

The night before I left Michigan for Tokyo, he said to me,
"I will miss you. You are the person I like most in the world."

He had said or written "I love you." several times. He doesn't use the word "love" easily. He acts in the firm belief that he should use it when he is convinced he's prepared for proper surroundings including a house with his spouse.

It's better than a man who says "I love you." many times so easily, but actually is an insincere man. However, doesn't just "I love you." sound happier than "like most in the world." for a woman's heart?

He saw me off at Detroit International Airport as usual.

The following month, October 2018, his uncle passed away. The man in wheelchair he had been taking care of since he collapsed from a stroke.

I remember his uncle said to me, "He is a kind man." when we visited him at the facility. Also, he said we were a well-suited couple.

The long years have ended. He continues to drive his handicapped sister to the bowling alley on Saturday.

Now he must take care of himself to regain his health.

Sometimes, he's not sure if he can wake up next morning because of his painful condition.

I wish I could live in Michigan and stay by his side forever. What I can do is limited in Japan even if I want to be of his help.

Or....it comes into my mind again.  He wants to remain single...?

Nobody has an answer.  All I know is I want him to live.   Because －

I love him.

Beautiful Rainbow Roll at Sushi & Thai Lake Orion

"I want to be with you, but, if you don't want to stay with me, I can book a hotel for you."

After the Mass, he said in the car. A man doesn't know why a woman couldn't help crying? It's never be true that my tears fell because I didn't want to be with him. Rather, I cried because I wanted to be with him but he was very slow to prepare for the future.

I mentioned a sushi restaurant I wanted to try.

"Please don't cry at the restaurant."

He worried. Of course it's not my will to make him feel embarrassed in front of people. It should be okay as I've shed enough tears already.

Rainbow Roll     -     California roll topped with 4 fish of chef's choice

from SPECIAL ROLLS of the menu.

Each one was a so beautiful roll that I was impressed. I love creative California rolls!

  

Sushi & Thai is a casual restaurant I planed to visit. Before coming to Michigan this time, I searched the internet for it in Japan.

I was curious about how good Japanese food is in Lake Orion at https://www.sushithailakeorion.com

I think California roll is original art American people created. It is truly fabulous!

I could know...there is a place I can come when I missed Japanese or Asian food.  I know, "if I live".

I am also interested in Philly Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Shrimp Tempura Roll from SIMPLE ROLLS of the menu.

This cozy place is established in 2012. Above HP says their ingredients are imported all the way from Thailand. I'm not sure ones for Sushi are also from Thailand, though. They have 2 menus, one is THAI Menu, and the other one is Sushi Menu.

Collie ordered one dish from THAI STIR FRY section of THAI Menu.  Powerful!

He'd never come here before. He'll make a visit again sometime as he liked it pretty much. For me, it has a sweet taste and wish it was cooked without sugar. Not sure, but American people might like a sweet taste on food as well as confectionery.

Sunset clouds.

It was the last night on the day before I flied back to Japan.

I want to come here to eat Thai curry and Thai noodles, too. There is a good restaurant nearby. It is a casual, interesting restaurant which provides Sushi and Thai.

The day will come.    －　The day he will know how much he was loved by me, and realize how selfish he was.

God is watching us.

So sad that my tears kept shedding at Mass.

I'd heard there was a church he sometimes visited. It is a Catholic Church in Lapeer. It's not very special one, but a church he felt calm and comfortable at, he said.

I will go back to Japan tomorrow on Sunday. Today is a second chance to go to Mass during my visit in Michigan. There are Saturday Vigils at the church in Lapper. I wanted to go to the church he liked.

In the daytime, we were relaxing at home. However, it just happened that I disputed his attitude towards Catholicism.

I insisted that I became Catholic in an effort of 2-year studying with a hope of getting married with him because a sacrament of marriage was his dream. I was ready to live a Catholic life with him. In addition to it, I'd already got a driver's license in Japan. But years have passed. I still live in Japan.

I haven't had an experience of confession. I know that I am still new can't be an excuse because a Catholic has to go to confession at least once a year.

He said, "It's a breakdown!"

Breakdown? What does he mean by the word "breakdown"? I got shocked at the word. Again, a marriage is receding... Every time he finds I am not devout enough.... I still don't live up to his expectation.

At my church in Japan, I have seen the Catholic who married the non-Catholic. He, or she didn't force the spouse to become Catholic, but after many years, the spouse decided to become Catholic naturally. I said to him, "This is real love." In addition, I mentioned that Catholic population is very small in Japan and I am not same as people who were raised as Catholics in U.S.A. But he replied that confession is "basic".

My days of the catechism class at church in English sounded nothing to him because I am a woman who don't do the basic.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church     814 W Nepessing St, Lapeer, MI 48446

I didn't want to cry at the church he likes and sometimes visits.  But, during Mass －

Tears fell down out of my eyes. I lost my voice. I couldn't sing, I couldn't recite...   I was so sad that my tears kept shedding. 

My hope.  Thoughts from many years run through my mind. 

While people get married without difficulties about faith, I can't get married even if I was baptized a Catholic. 

I am writing this in Japan. As he says, it is basic to go to confession as a Catholic. Today, I haven't gone to yet. 

I have to say I am not pious.    However,  my belief is  －  Do the right thing as a person. 

I respect him. There is no one like him. In the same way, I hope he will realize I also have an asset he appreciates and it is good enough to get together even if I am not good at going to confession. I believe a marriage is not a goal, but a start. We grow up together by leading a married life. 

We deepen faith in God gradually and it is a discovery over a lifetime.

Collie & Rose's romantic night to roast marshmallow over candlelight

The time itself would be precious when I am with you. Every time I am spending with you is a precious moment.

When I visit you in Michigan, it is a good chance to share a bottle of wine. The wine your friend presented you with. You don't drink up a bottle of wine...so let's share the fine wine together♪♪

Icebox cookies we bought at One World Market are lovely hors d'oeuvres❤︎

Taking a selfie together is common for all of the lovers. When we do this, I always ask him to take because his hand is longer than mine. 

 

Collie brought candles from his shelf. 

Quiet night at home is one of the nicest events. A little idea would create an elegant time for us at the usual place.

Collie took it into his head to roast a marshmallow by candlelight! It was a so tiny marshmallow I brought from Japan as a (joke) souvenir to say, "Japanese people don't eat a lot, so a marshmallow is this size." 

"Oh, it's fun!!!", he says.  He says the scent and taste are the same he remembers as he knew when he was a boy. 

Our romantic time with candlelight.  At the same time, it is entertaining.

Just to be ourselves.

My favorite hot and sour noodle soup is Chinese Ramen in Japan

This is the best 酸辣湯麺（hot and sour noodle soup）in my life!

Wow, it's really good! Soup is also very tasty! As if various Chinese dishes were condensed into one bowl.

揚州商人（Yousyu Syonin）is a Ramen restaurant and it's a chain. You can find it several places in Japan.

The storekeeper's grandfather was from 揚州（Yousyu）, China. He started a Chinese restaurant in Japan, and his son inherited it, then the present storekeeper who was raised with his grandfather and his father's cuisine started a Ramen Restaurant including Chinese food to convey his grandfather and his father's taste to Japanese people.

There are many kind of Ramens in the menu, however, my favorite is 酸辣湯麺（hot and sour noodle soup）.   You can choose the type of noodles such as thin noodles or knife-cut noodles...

The ramen tastes so good!

Would you like Chinese Ramen at the Ramen restaurant in Japan? You'll know why this restaurant is so popular in Japan.

An exciting challenge by bicycle to Tim Hortons, Oxford.

Ooooh!  It's a challenge!!!

After eating late lunch at Red Knapp's, I left for Tim Horton. A doggy bag suspended from a bicycle handle bar made cycling a little difficult. The nicely paved sidewalk ended while I was riding far from Downtown Oxford.

Oh, look...there is just a white line between the roadway and the sidewalk. The sidewalk is not paved with bricks nor has difference in level. Cars pass by me quickly and sometimes it's pretty scary since I feel it is close to me.

Finally arrived in Tim Hortons😂       Good job, Rose~~~~☆（←saying to myself）

This is Tim Hortons in Oxford, Michigan.

I bound my(Collie's) bicycle to the signpost.  My dear...I am sorry I made you alone, but would you be here while I spend time at Tim Hortons?

Actually, a bicycle is an only means of transportation for me to go back to Collie's house. If it is stolen, I can't go back~~😭

Tim Hortons is Canada's largest quick service restaurant chain. I haven't eaten food yet. I was looking forward to relaxing here with sweet & coffee💕

Teen boys were coming, and impressively they were polite good boys.

I ordered a sour cream grazed donut❤︎ with a dark roast coffee, medium-sized❤︎

Take a break♪

A donut is SO sweet. Well, it's okay if it is once in a while✨   I chilled at Tim Hortons.

Tim Hortons coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans. Also, it is a pleasant place to stop by for a quick snack. Tim Hortons in Oxford is open 5:00am - 10:00pm every day.

I sent a message to Collie with a coffee & donut picture. "I will come home from now."

I returned to Oxford residential area taking more than 1 hour. A white house with red doors caught my eyes. Quiet beautifulness... I stoped to take one quick picture.

I found Collie e-mailed me back. He says he can go to Tim Hortons to pick me up because he finished work. I answered, "Don't worry, I can go home by bicycle."

"OK, let's race! =3 " (← I'm saying to myself...)

I went through a bumpy road, a puddle of rain, and a slope. Drivers kindly gave way to me. Every time, I expressed my gratitude by hand to them.

No sooner had I reached home than his car arrived just after me. The game ended in a tie. 😶

Rose "I brought back a souvenir for you."
It is my meal at Red Knapp's. My extra white bag was helpful because they gave me boxes but didn't have a plastic bag.
Collie "Wow, you needed to make an effort to carry it all the way by bicycle, thank you, Rose!"

It was a long bike ride.  And the bicycle was my confidant.