They flew in from Canada to Kayonza just to say, ‘I do’

Micheline Gagne and Normand Robert decided to fly all the way from Quebec, Canada to Rwanda just to celebrate ten years of marital bliss by renewing their vows. On February 7, the couple jetted into the country as part of a 21-member tour group from Quebec, and during their two-week stay found time off to say “I do” to each other once again before a priest, Celestine Sebuliboko. Ironically, the group also had Diane Lepage, a bubbly 63-year-old who has never been married all her life, has no biological child of her own, and still lives with her 84 year-old mother. The first time I saw the couple, I mistook Micheline and Normand to be daughter and father thanks to Normand’s large, gentle and imposing physical stature. So, whenever he threw his arm protectively around Micheline’s diminutive figure, it all looked like only a father’s love. It was on February 12, when the two renewed their marital vows at a simple but colorful ceremony held at the Kayonza Vocational School that the intimate relationship between the couple was revealed. It is a day that the couple swears will forever stay in their memories. “Norman and I met in 2004, when we already had children from previous relationships,” Micheline later revealed. “I had two sons; Gabriel (nine) and Mathieu (14). Norman was the father of two beautiful daughters, Maude (four) and Milène (nine).” When the two families met, they all immediately felt that they were made for the other. “Adapting our stepfamilies was possible through love, harmony, laughter and compassion,” she added. After three years together, the couple decided to formalise the union through civil marriage. “When we announced the news to the children, they were all very happy with our marriage plans. We celebrated our wedding on April 7, 2007, and this is one of our most memorable days together,” said Normand. During their first year of marriage, the pair harbored the same dream; a trip down to Africa before they each clocked 50 years. “But time passed and we never talked much about it again. In August 2013, I met a wonderful lady called Luce Viens, who was organising a group trip from Canada to Rwanda. I introduced myself and was immediately taken in for questioning to ascertain the depth of my passion to participate in this trip. When I returned home, talked to Normand and despite several logistical hurdles related to our jobs, we vowed to make the journey. Then, another dream popped in my head in September 2013. In this dream I saw the two of us in front of an African priest, renewing our commitment to the marriage vows we made to each other ten years ago,” Micheline said. On the morning of February 12, during the group’s stay at Kayonza Vocational School, the couple made consultations with local authorities to see if their planned ceremony was in line with local customs. “The priest said that everything was legal and that he was very happy to bless our engagement, and came to meet us directly at the school that night. Wow, I ‘m touched to relive that moment and happy to be able to realize this dream,” Micheline said. “My entire tour group came and took over the ceremony. They decorated the room with white tablecloths and candles, and Shaban, the owner of the school brought students from the choir to sing beautiful Rwandan songs.” She describes the ceremony as “a magical evening with lots of beautiful emotions all around us!” At one point, Micheline says, she could not confirm where it was real or just another dream. ” I’m very thankful and grateful to the students of the school choir, and to Shaban, a man of heart we would wish to meet again.” Micheline’s story When we first met, I was an administrative assistant with a concrete plant and Normand was my client. So we started our meetings with several small dinners during our lunch breaks. From the beginning when he entered the office to talk to my boss, just hearing him laugh gave me chills ....then I discovered he was just a good man and true to himself. I fell under his spell ... and today I am still under his spell. Our wedding in Quebec was much more laborious, with a large hall, flowers, waterfalls, presence of our families, and our children. What’s more, the wedding was televised in Quebec. Our marriage took place in a beautiful room with the decor made in our image and $3,000 less on our bill preparations. It was a wedding filled with emotion, joy, fun, and unforgettable memories. In Kayonza, we wanted to bless our alliance and renew our vows of commitment and love. It was magical to see how I had no expectation that it would work, but at the same time I wanted it to happen. What touched me the most is the involvement of our group and Luce, our travel guide. They helped decorate the class where the ceremony took place, they found candles in their bags, and white tablecloths etc. They spent most of the afternoon in the school kitchen for a great stew. To our surprise even Shaban (the school owner) was actively involved, going to buy the grocery list for dinner. We paid no price for this beautiful ceremony. It came from the heart of each one that was a part of it. This is really what I call sharing love and bonding between people. Normand’s story It all started in February 2004. I was an entrepreneur in my field of inground pool and my concrete supplier was a company called Concrete Mercier. As a customer, I went to Concrete Mercier to discuss prices for the New Year. When I walked into the office, it was very cold because there was no heating. That’s when I struck like a thunderbolt. I was meeting with the business owner and Micheline entered the office saying she was cold. That is when I took off my coat to wrap it over her shoulders. I heard a little thrill in my heart. Later in the evening, I asked her out to dinner, and she replied: “No, I do not have the right to dine with clients.” When April came, I started to place my orders for concrete, but when she answered I just wanted to continue to talk endlessly. Because I am a very shy person, in May she told me that,’’ you’ll never have dinner because you work forever ...” I asked her if she wanted to come to dinner with me and she accepted, despite the office regulations... and our dinners continued over a period of six months. We developed our relationship slowly but surely. I was in love with her and it was stronger than anything. Today, I realize that I’m still in love with my wife; we have made beautiful things with my two beautiful girls and her two boys that I love. Our common dream to bless our vows in Rwanda is the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced. It was magical and this is the best trip of my life. Diane, single, not searching at 63 My name is Diane Lepage. I am 63 years old, I am single and never been married or had a child. My only children were those who I took care of because I was a nurse for children for 35 years. I loved many of those children like they were my own and I always try to make contact with children all around the world because they are spontaneous, natural and give their love freely. I cry for some who have since died but most of the time I spend good time with them and their family. I was never married because I did not meet a good man; in my country it is not unusual: I have four friends in the same situation. Sometimes some people make comments like: ‘how come a good person like you is alone? You should be hard to please.’ I answer that ‘’life is life’’ and I don’t regret anything. The best way to be happy is to profit from what we have, and not always running after what we don’t have. I live in Quebec, with my sister and my mother. When my father died 12 years ago, we decided that it would be easier to buy a bigger house and let our mother stay with us. It is unusual in Canada to live all together as a family but the adaptation was easy for me. My mother is 84 years old but she is still able to drive my car but she does not like going to new places; that is why I do the shopping for her, and take her to the doctor. I love her very much so it is a pleasure to travel around with her. I hope to have many more years with her. I love nature, which is why I travel a lot to Africa visiting countries with animals different from those in America: I went to Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. It was easy for me to choose Rwanda because I did not really know the country and it was a good chance to discover another part of Africa. The program also included direct contact with people; I was so lucky to go to Victorious school, sit in the class with children, see them trying to speak English with me, curious of my difference. I saw teachers working with few materials but a big heart; I saw children always smiling, playing all together. I will always remember the smiles of the people of Rwanda, the curiosity in the eyes of children, the green color of the hills, and the big reconstruction works being undertaken all over the country. I laughed, I cried, but I was never indifferent, and it is a good reason to come back to Rwanda.