sokiedoki's Purple wedding

Sticking with tradition (more hawaiian then Japanese) I will go through the grueling hours of folding 1001 cranes. The crane is an important symbol in Japanese tradition, since cranes mate for life. It also is a symbol of hope.

"These traditional Asian paper cranes are symbols of longevity, healing, patience, and most of all lifelong love. Cranes are known to mate for life, a rarity in the animal world. Therefore, they are popular displays at weddings, often seen as 1,000 of them strung together and cascading from the ceiling. They also make meaningful, affordable favors and gifts.

Origami cranes also symbolize peace. Many people know the heartbreaking story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. She was a victim of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, suffering from radiation exposure at the age of two that led to leukemia almost ten years later. Based on the legend that one can make a wish upon folding a thousand cranes, Sadako starting folding, with a wish to get well. Before she was able to reach her goal, her body succumbed to the illness, but a monument was erected at the Hiroshima Peace Park in remembrance of her and other child victims. A thousand paper cranes now symbolizes a wish for peace."

Since the one international trip that my Fiance and I took together was to Japan, as well as being part Japanese, I think it has great symbolism for our relationship moving forward.