2023-12-22 00:30:00
Beautiful, uplifting love stories are rather rare in the daily life of a legal journalist. But, on the morning of December 21, a bit like an improbable Christmas movie scenario, I went from witnessing the news at the courthouse to… legal witness to the marriage which united two pleasant strangers.
The somewhat surreal story begins when I came across, at the bend of a corridor, Émy Loubert, a civil clerk, looking a little desperate.
She had the mandate, 4 days before Christmas, to unite the destiny of Daniel Fonseca Gomez and Dania Maria Ibarez Jaramillo, but the couple only had one witness while the law requires two to formalize the union .
“Can you be their witness? the clerk asked me, smirking when she saw my astonished look. If they don’t have a second witness, I can’t marry them.”
The bride and groom Daniel Fonseca Gomez and Dania Maria Ibarez Jaramillo Photo credit: Courtesy
After a few seconds of reflection and following making sure what I was getting into, I accepted. Why not end a year rather full of heavy and emotional issues on a happy note?
Break the routine
“I found someone,” the clerk says to the couple as we enter the room.
All smiles, the two visibly relieved bride and groom welcomed me with open arms.
In fact, it is rather rare that I am received so warmly when I poke my nose into a file at the courthouse! The thanks and hugs were a change from the insults and dark looks that our usual customers give me.
Five minutes later, I too signed, all smiles, the document which formalized the marriage of Daniel and Dania.
Photo credit: Courtesy
I have to admit that, despite the fact that we didn’t know each other at all, I was touched by the young couple from Mexico. Daniel told me he arrived in Quebec three years ago now. He met his sweetheart while traveling to his homeland for vacation last summer.
After a first meeting which had the effect of love at first sight, the lovers continued to communicate remotely for some time. Then, Dania went to the United States for work and rather than returning to Mexico, the young woman decided to continue her journey north to meet in Quebec the man who would become her husband.
And if that wasn’t enough, Dania and Daniel’s sister Jael were both celebrating their birthdays on this triply special day.
Charming story
Four days before Christmas, it’s hard to find a more charming “judicial” story to tell.
A bit like those films that Hallmark produces on an assembly line for the holiday season, films with a worn-out formula, but at the same time, always comforting.
“A total stranger saves the wedding of a young Mexican couple who were to get married on a cold Quebec winter day, but who had no witness.”
Photo credit: Courtesy
Okay, come on, I definitely need a vacation, even Christmas movie producers would think that makes no sense!
Dania and Daniel, all my best wishes for this wedding that I will never forget.
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