I don’t know where to begin. A lot of people say the wedding day happens in a whirl, that you can’t remember anything and everything is a blur.
It is not. I remembered. I can still remember. I told myself the moment I woke up that day: I am present in this moment. And I made sure I was. I guess it comes with my package – an OC person like me HAS to remember, I can’t not. I remember not finishing my morning cereal, KL knocking on the wrong room, the unbearable heat, the ticking in my head as I waited for the unity candle that never came (ugh), what I felt as I exited the chapel and saw all our friends. I remember the anxiety right before we entered the reception hall, the mad dash for the garter that I forgot to wear, Shiva mouthing “100” indicating the worth (in peso) of my dance move haha. Whatever I saw, smelled, touched, heard, tasted and felt are now burned in my memory. And I am thankful.
So again, where do I begin? I don’t know. The devil is in the details, and those I will discuss for the benefit of fellow brides and w@wies in a separate entry. Now, I guess I’d just like to say thank you to:
– our parents, for obvious reasons. Words cannot explain. Thank you also to our relatives who stayed on and made sure we were still alive after the chaos haha. Thanks to Tito Sel who helped take care of the tips for the waiters and other suppliers. To Tita Reg who probably shouldered a bulk of the stress without telling me. All of you, you know who you are. Special thanks to relatives who came from far-flung places to be with us.
– everyone who took part in the kuratsa! It was fun, wasn’t it? 😀 More than the bills flying around, it was the sheer experience that made it worth all those nights listening to traditional kuratsa music and practicing my kembot and hand flips. Look Ma, three years of ballet school didn’t go to waste after all.
– all our guests who took the time and effort to be there. We are truly grateful.
– to all our ninongs and ninangs! You all looked dashing and beautiful. I wished I couldv’e hugged each of you. Thanks Ninong Onal for singing. 🙂
– KL, Shiva, you are the BEST MOHs in the whole universe. Thank you for listening to my rants and tolerating my tantrums, for stepping up and taking charge, for simply being there and loving me and Mark the way sisters do. You are blood.
– Carol Luluuuuuu! You were not part of the entourage but I relied on you like you were. Thank you for all your help (and trouble shooting), and for being a true friend. We’re not 14 anymore but you still hug me the same! Love you to pieces!
– Edison, Len, Agnes, thanks for coming to my rescue. 🙂 You are friends for life.
– our office friends, who didn’t complain when we took a long period of leave haha! We hope that the fun you had erased your exasperation with our prolonged absence. 😉
– my Kule family, thank you. You truly know my heart. I hope you also know that, with or without the surprise, my heart is overflowing with lifetimes of love for you.
– my St Scho family, you are like second skin. I cannot imagine life without you. Thank you for walking with me since I was 5, 10, 15 years years old . And you’re still here. 🙂 Some of you I don’t see often, and I am grateful that you took the time to walk one step further with me. You are all part of our journey. Thanks also for the impromptu Our Father! I told you, kayo rin ang kakanta. 😉
– Camille, thank you for accepting Kuya Mark as a brother. Sabi nga ni Ate Len, hindi magbabawas, magdadagdag lang. Love you.
– Ivan, my brother. For simply being the light of my life these past 27 years. You will never wane.
I’m certain I failed to mention so many other people, but you have to forgive us, and know that we don’t feel any less grateful.
Much much love to all.
A Modern Vintage Affair: Countdown to 02.27.2010 