Apart from love letters, I was also able to write past experiences not only from yours truly but also from people whom I treasure. This next blog is about my view of the marriage of my parents. This was written last November 18, 2004. Here, I clearly stated what had really took place prior and during their wedding, two years before I was even born. The details were given to me from my very own mother.
Almost all brides dreamt of walking down the aisle and seeing the man they love waiting at the altar, exchanging their “I Do’s” infront of a minister, witnesses, and most especially, infront of God, and having their reception in either a simple or elegant way.
But my parent’s wedding was way too different. No one in this world, I guess, had ever experienced or imagined the kind of wedding they had.
It was on the summer of 1985 when my mom and dad first laid their eyes to each other during an association. My mom had a boyfriend back then while my dad was, oh well, had flings here and there. But as the days passed and they got closer and have known each other, they realized there is a strong chemistry between them. Good thing was, at that time, my mom already broke up with her boyfriend so my dad had the guts to court her, considering he seldom fall in love. That was November that same year. And unknowingly, my mom was some kind of the romantic type and by the fact that she loved dad too, she gave her big YES on February 14, 1986, Valentine’s Day!
But things didn’t run smooth as what they prayed for. When my maternal grandpa knew about it, he tried everything under his sole power to stop their relationship. He didn’t like my father because for him, dad is still a stranger and no one knows if he’s still single or not, and he likes somebody else for my mom. There was even a time when they all gathered in the living room with all the neighbors and did some sort of a hearing. Whoever speaks without permission will be whipped by a so-called “garote”. According to my mom, that was one of the most humiliating days of her life.
My father wanted to fight but upon knowing that they might have no chance at all, he went to Ormoc and decided to give up the hope that they would soon start a future together. My mom was also forced to go to Cebu and will stay at her older sister’s house. At that time, one has to go to Ormoc City first to ride a ship towards Cebu so my mom went to Ormoc as well, neither of them knowing what awaits for them there. But as they say, love works in mysterious ways. When my dad was so lonely that he decided to pass the hours at Ormoc pier, he happened to take a glimpse of my mom walking towards the pier. Blame it on destiny or sheer luck, they were able to spend a few hours together with the love burning silently in their hearts, pursuing them to indulge into a wedding on their own. It was more or less April 1986 at that time.
But unfortunately, my mom’s age was still under parent’s consent and someone suggested my dad should be verified if he’s still really single way back in Zamboanga City, his hometown. So, they waited for 120 days before the authorities allowed them to be married.
Finally, they were wed on the 4th of September 1986. Nothing extra ordinaire huh? Wrong! For after a judge married them, they bathe on the sea and ate bananas and guavas instead of having a reception some had expected.
Looking back, my mom often said that it was the most unforgettable moment of her life. When asked if she could turn back time would she still do the same, she would’ve wanted a rather different setting; but so long as dad would be her groom, she would willingly repeat what she had done without any hesitations. She had no regrets with all the hardships they encountered eventhough what happened seemed to be a whirlwind romance. My dad use to make fun of it now but it is undeniable that everytime he looks at mom, there is still that same glow they both possessed from the very moment they first laid eyes to each other. It is the kind of glow that you know will keep on burning even if both their hairs have turned all gray. It was crystal clear that their love strengthened when they both believed and fought for it. True love really conquers all and my parents’ undying devotion to each other and their happy married life is a living witness to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment