Perseverance.

Ashley and I's honeymoon was not your typical one. No big grand adventure, no once in a life-time trip to an exotic location and certainly not something a certain girl from Wisconsin really dreamed it would be. In reality we went to visit extended family from both sides of our family. We spent a week in a small town with her mom and her mom's family. Another week in Okinawa with my mom and the extended family on my side. Then finally a week for ourselves in Osaka. Though Ashley barely limped to the third week.

A few days in Osaka after going fishing with my grandfather and a few uncles, I tried to find her, but couldn't. She was sitting in bed crying into her arms. I sat down next to her and she leaned onto my shoulder still crying.

I asked her what was wrong and all she could tell me was, "I can't do it anymore." I kept asking her what she couldn't do anymore. It took awhile for her to calm down enough to talk to me normally.

I had known that the past few days for her had been tough. Ashley is a shy girl, but she is plenty nice to just about everyone no matter how she feels. This was going to be a challenge, my mom and grandma aren't her biggest fans. They critiqued just about everything she did, insulted her and made snide insinuations that are best kept private. Two days was her breaking point, she didn't want to deal with them anymore and I really wasn't helping.

We sat in silence and every now and then she did what she had to. Cry, swear and generally do all the things I rarely ever see her do.

"I want to go home--" She finally uttered after the worst had passed. "--I just don't ever want to come back here."

I don't remember exactly what I said, but I assured her that distancing herself from the problem and seeming like you surrendered is just what they want to see. It's just what makes them think they are right about you. She isn't like anything they said, not even close and to make those assumptions makes them look worse than you ever will be.

A few more tears had to come out and then she smiled. Got out of bed and claimed she was going to go help cook with them. She learned the only way to deal with people like that, is to show their bullying doesn't have an effect on you.

Ashley never gave into them again. Which is just another reason that I love her, that despite being shy, mild-mannered at times and quiet. She can overcome those parts of her personality to do something great.

You know... Like hold my hand in public.