Happy Ever After

Forty days ago, I exchanged 'I do' with Tyrone in a simple and beautiful ceremony in my home city in Davao. We were surrounded by family and friends. 

Our vision was to share the special day with a select few -- only those that were closest to us. And our working number was just 75 people. Lo and behold, we pulled it off. Although we missed some friends who didn't make it because they're abroad or have other pressing family matters, we remembered them in our celebration. 

We are so grateful that friends traveled almost 600 miles to witness and be part of the beginning of our journey as a couple. We are especially grateful to everyone who lent their talent, shared beautiful speeches, and the generous gifts given for the start of our new life. 

A few years from now, I'd like to look back to this day and how I was able to capture the moments in this entry. Mind you there are literally thousands of outtakes from the four DVDs given to us. These were all raw files. We only need to choose 130 photos that will go to our wedding album.

Yesterday, I tried curating the album for Facebook. I tried to second guess myself whether I needed to post it there. But some family and friends weren't able to celebrate with us. And those who did wants to see the photos, too. And then, after uploading Facebook just messed up my carefully curated album. LOL.

It took me the better part of the evening selecting, choosing, coping and posting these on another folder. It was so tedious I wished I had a MacBook Air so I can just drag and drop. 

Carefully but hastily made beautiful throw away bouquet. Thanks, Bonna!

The elegance of calla lilies.

It's been over a month but we still marvel at how things worked together to make our big day, as awesome as it was... more than what we could hope for.

XX 

It's happening.

So, my future hubby just made this. 

Swell!

Only 21 days left before the big day. And we are so looking forward to it, as family and friends travel a considerable distance to be with us on the day we exchange vows. Not just of undying love but of our commitment before God to faithfully be with one another, regardless of the tides of our lives. 

See you all.  

XX

Love begets love

I feel the love. The universe is on a roll sending me good vibes and that amazing outpouring of support from family and friends. And the world has truly become a global village. 
I am so overwhelmed. Right now, I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world. *silent scream* 

It started with the formal announcement on my save the date.  

a save the date cum buy your ticket now e-card to all our friends.

In a matter of hours, most of our friends have already booked their flights and reserved their hotel accommodation. I feel so blessed. 

Everyone is just so excited to be one with us in this celebration. My initial thoughts that no one would probably attend, save for a few, were thwarted when I get confirmations as early as Day 1 that they're coming. It's one event that hardly needs an RSVP. 

As a young girl, I fantasized about a fairytale wedding in a forest-like setting. It would have been a total production. Now that am older though, I realized that what I really, really want is an intimate gathering of family and friends. 

Am keeping everything, sleek and simple. Befitting to a laid-back destination, I must say. I no longer want the frou-frou of celebrations like this. We dream to celebrate in muted style, understated elegance, if we can achieve it. 

The moment we declared to the world that we're indeed, getting married, the idea became real. We needed already to sit down on the planning and logistics. 

We spoke to friends who shall have a special participation on the big day. And that's when we get surprised, time and time again. 

I flew in to Cebu for work. And took a side trip (an extra weekend stay in the city) to meet with friends and share with them the news. I was looking for an officiant, and my friend re-introduced me to one. I had a chat with him and he agreed to fly to Davao. Incredible. 

The same friend will gift me with calla lilies to be flown in all the way from Baguio. And her daughter's singing, too. 

Photo credit: Pinterest

Suddenly, am all set. Nearly. The night I was to leave back to Manila, another friend met me for a night cap. She's ecstatic for me. We've friends for long that we've been through a lot of relationship conversations. And then she asked, "what can I pledge for you?" Just told her, show up, that's all. But she insisted so I promised I will think about it. 

And then, I met with my maid-of-honor, her hubby and smart kid. We had a great mongolian lunch. After a lengthy catch up, we firmed down the details. And then, she offered Cebu lechon as her present. Am I lucky or what? 

On one hand, when I flew to Davao for another business trip. I received more goodie good news. My Godparent (mom of MOH) will give me another lechon. Sigh. Am drowning in so much blessing. 

I've never been so overwhelmed in my whole life. But things keep getting better. Another good friend gave an early present. An extravagant amount for my wedding shoes. Am dreaming of a fabulous pairs of Jimmy Choo and Christian Loubotin. A girl can dream, right? So the money she gave is still in my purse, as I search for the next best thing -- a Choo and Loubi may just be a dream yet. 

All those happened last April. 

Fast forward to this month (May). 

Another surprise unfolded in the wee hours of the Thursday (May 17) morning while I valiantly tried to sleep the remaining few hours before I catch a flight back to Cebu. I was tossing around the comfortable bed of Marco Polo Davao when I just sort of give up on shut eye. Instead, I browsed through my facebook page. Thanks to free wifi!

My good friend (one of my bridesmaids, supposedly but her vacay is in December yet) who's from Canada sent me private message. She's wondering if my cake is already pledged for. If not, she will. I told her, a friend has made it her present for us. 

This morning, she sent me another message. She's sending me $$$ so I can just buy the shoes that I want. Oh my. *fans self* 

When it rains, it really pours. Another girlfriend is generously lending her ceremony stuff such as the bible, ring pillow, arrhae, fascinator (hahaha not) veil and cord. She had a beautiful wedding last March. Aw. Very pretty bride, too. 

They say a traditional wedding must-haves are: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

I think I already have them all. I have a bit of something from family and friends. We haven't tied the knot yet. The ceremony is yet to happen. But am already bursting with happiness and love. 

All of my friends have actually pledged. Some are specific for my wedding day. The rest are gifting us with their time and presence. 

See you all on the big day!

Celebrations

In March, we walk to the beat of life's drum with more spring in our steps. Traditionally, it marks the passage of time. Of beginnings. And endings. 

Tying the knot. School graduation. Women's month. Earth Hour. Travel. Springtime. Or summer. 

The kids had a grand time on their moving up days. The adults smile and the parents are bursting with pride in their hearts. The little ones are getting ready for the world. They show off their little talents -- out of tune song number, uncoordinated dance steps, and the beautiful chaos, that's associated when all the children in the world are gathered in one room.  Ah, it's called, play. 


Quo vadis, that's what is asked of college graduates. Now that they're officially adults, it's time for them to find their own niche in this world. It marked the passage of years learning life in the comfort of the walls of the academe. They now have to shake off the giddiness of youth to enter into the austere corporate world of adults. And for those who are braver, they begin to build their entrepreneurial empire. 


Somewhere along the way, the once carefree teens are thinking of building a life with their God's gift. I've been fortunate to witness two friends who had beautiful wedding ceremonies. In a space of one week, I've attended two celebrations. The first one, a study in restraint, serenity and formality. The second, a burst of pastel colors in the midst of a mango farm. 


Both spoke volume to me. Both communicated their love for each other, not just in spoken words but in the way the air was just permeated with the glow of love, from the couple to everyone privileged enough to witness the events. 


This is a salute to life's continuous thread that unravels with each passing of time and of each celebration. 

Sketch by Gio, the genius.

The girls of Table 10.

Cam whoring while waiting for the party to start.

Thanks, Erica. You've thought of others even if it's your special day. 

If you think positively

Sound becomes Music

Movement Becomes Dance

Smile Becomes Laughter

Mind Becomes Meditation

And Life Becomes a Celebration - Anon