Practical, effective and practical

outline：On April 9, the New Year Festival of the Dai Calendar 1378 held special significance for the Yan Wenhan family in Mandajiu Village, Xishuangbanna Prefecture: it marked both the annual Dai Water-Splashing Festival and the celebration of Yan Wenhan’s parents’ “Oak Marriage.” On this day, the 103-year-old couple, Yan Zhuanglong and Yu Shuai, donned brand-new...

Having been married for more than 80 years and shared nearly 30,000 days and nights together, what kind of love and devotion does such a union embody? In Mandajiu Village, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, 103-year-old Mr. Yan Zhuanglong and Mrs. Yu Shuai are celebrating their “oak wedding,” a milestone marking a long and enduring marriage.

The couple’s sixth son, Yan Wenhan, is now in his fifties. He told reporters that, since they have never known the exact date of their parents’ wedding, they have never been able to properly celebrate a wedding anniversary for them. Liu Tianwei and Zhang Yanhong, chairpersons of the Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group, have already visited their parents twice, and the parents have long regarded them as their own children. At the suggestion of Liu Tianwei and Zhang Yanhong, why not take advantage of the day before the traditional Dai New Year on April 9—the first day of the Dai lunar calendar—to host an “Oak Wedding” celebration for the elderly couple, bringing the whole family together in harmony and joy, so that the younger generation can witness their parents’ happy marriage? It would be truly meaningful.

On April 9, the Yan Wenhan family invited a chef and local relatives and friends early in the morning to lend a hand. They erected a canopy, set out tables and chairs, and made thorough preparations for lunch. A wide array of delicious dishes were served—chicken, duck, fish, meat, and an assortment of vegetables—and the entire village gathered together for a heartwarming reunion meal.

“Back in those days, when my parents got married, they didn’t have a proper wedding ceremony—there was no romantic ritual at all. In fact, even their wedding anniversary is something they can hardly recall now,” said Chairman Liu Tianwei. “This time, my wife and I have specially prepared this grand cake just for them, so we can celebrate in true style.” Amid the joyful laughter and well-wishes of family and friends, Chairman Liu Tianwei cut the specially made cake and presented it to the elderly couple. They both had excellent appetites and each finished an entire plate of the cake that Chairman Liu had served. Everyone joined in offering heartfelt blessings: may you enjoy robust health and live to a ripe old age.

On this joyous occasion, many villagers gathered to “watch,” snapping photos and chatting among themselves, marveling at the elderly couple’s hearty appetites and robust health. The villagers warmly told reporters: “The two elders are exceptionally kind and get along wonderfully with everyone in the community.” One villager recalled that as a child he often visited their home, where they always greeted him with warm hospitality; the entire village holds them in high regard. Even now, the couple remains largely self-sufficient, managing daily tasks such as gathering firewood, cooking, washing vegetables and drawing water, eating and dressing, tending to flowers, and taking leisurely walks. They are inseparable, leading a simple yet happy life.

Only after 80 years together can you celebrate an “Oak Wedding.”

The Oak Wedding is the 80th wedding anniversary. Primarily celebrated in France, it symbolizes the enduring strength and longevity of love. For a couple, reaching the Oak Wedding is an invaluable milestone—one that embodies the perfect alignment of timing, circumstances, and mutual harmony.