The Wedding

July 26, 2013.  It was 50 years ago today, when they got married in a church in Baguio.  It was a simple affair, with a few guests.  They were a young couple who believed in going through with the ceremony but not lavishly spend for it.  There were better ways to spend their hard earned money, especially since they are just starting a new life together.

Fifty years go by; they are still a happily married couple.  Every morning as they wake up, my Dad still prepares the coffee for my Mom at breakfast while she fixes their bed they slept in, both their morning ritual.

Two weeks ago, plans were made. It was just supposed to be a weekend vacation. A break, a treat, a simple way to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Typical of them, they agreed to a simple plan; gather everyone close, only their children and grand children for a weekend in Baguio.  Visit the church they got married to exactly 50 years ago, maybe ask for a special blessing from the parish priest, then go sight seeing for the rest of their three days stay in Baguio.  But unknown to them, there were a few emails exchanges made, followed by a few calls by their children to cousins who coincidentally lives in the same church parish. Two days before they were set to leave, everything fell into place.

Upon arriving in Baguio, everything was set into motion. There they were, back in the same church, wary, unsure, and hesitant of what will happen. The groom was forced to wear a long-sleeved polo shirt and slacks, attire he rarely puts on lately. The bride wore a sky blue skirt and white blouse, her typical ballroom dancing outfit.  It was a Friday afternoon, at 1 pm, in front of the same church, in front of the same altar, but in front of a younger priest.

What transpired was not just a blessing; it was a full-blown mass, a wedding, an intimate renewal of vows with only their children, grandchildren, a cousin, his wife, their neighbor and a driver as witnesses.  There were giggles as the ceremony was on-going, particularly in the exchange of vows.  Their grandchildren were excited, tickled pink when the “I-do’s” were exchanged.  The groom was nervous when he was asked to place the ring on the bride’s fingers.  He was unsure if it would still fit. The bride was flustered, laughing, and giddy when the priest finally said to the groom, “you may now kiss the bride”. The kiss, a smack on the lips, a gesture of their love to each other, finally sealed the deal. As the ceremony came to a close, the priest asked everyone present to join the couple in the altar and gave everyone a special blessing.  They were witnesses to a very rare and special occasion, an event only a few of us will be able to experience, more so be a part of.

We were truly blessed.