Happy Wedding

How time moves so fast. When I started writing an opinion column for Sun*Star Cebu from way back my children were still in elementary school. On July 27, 2013, my eldest son Kim got married to Krizia Ledesma of Iloilo City.

Kim and Krizia didn’t know each other a year ago. But when they met during a concert in Auckland in November 2012, they knew they were meant for each other. I could remember myself when Kim courted Krizia: weather, distance and time were no deterrent to visiting.

For the past few weeks, we were busy preparing for the wedding, as we didn’t hire any wedding planner, just family and friends helping out to make a momentous event happen for Kim and Krizia. It was hard work, but for us it gave more meaning to the solemn church ceremony and the festive reception that followed.

As parents, my wife, Debbie and I were tasked to deliver a speech, and we’d like to share the message we gave:

“We are filled with joy that you have committed to love each other with God’s grace, and welcome you to the next important stage in your lives, as a married couple.

“We have prayed for Kim to meet his one true love. We have journeyed with him in heart aches and frustrations. And we cherished the moments when he first met Krizia during the Rivermaya concert and their getting to know each other.

“The road that led towards this day wasn’t a total bed of roses; there were difficulties and struggles along the way, but as St. Paul wrote, ‘Love never fails.’

And love they found.

“Today is one of the best days for the rest of your life; enjoy this moment. Henceforth, you are no longer two but one. Let this unity of spirit propel you to becoming better individuals, wonderful parents and loving couple.

“There is no magic potion to assure a good marriage. But surely, if you put God as the corner stone of your marriage, nothing can go wrong. Pray together, go to church together, recite the rosary together, and attend marriage enrichment seminars together. It is God who nourishes the marriage.

“In closing, as you both worked hard to make this event successful, we know that you noticed that your entire family has been behind you every step of the way. For as we are with you now we will always be there for you as you raise a family together.

“We know that being such a beautiful couple, you will have beautiful children. We look forward to many of them.

“Happy wedding, mga anak (my children).”