Today I'd say I do (Wedding Day Story)

When I proposed in December 2010 (read my proposal here), I knew that wedding day (We-Day) would come soon.

Next year, why not?

But then, Prince William and Kate had their We-Day in 2011. So we thought that our wedding would have no chance to be the wedding of the year!

2012, why not?

But 2012 is a leap year. In the Philippines, there is a superstitious belief that any important event held this year is filled with omens. Not a good year for wedding, I suppose. And the next year is even more omenous with the number 13. I have not extended my imagination and thought on 2014 though. Too way too long to have her in my life, formally.

So 2012 remained the most viable option. We just had to leave the month that has the extra day, February.

Why not in January 2012? Talking about starting the year right. So it was January 2012.

January has 31 days. So many good days in January. But professional commitments made our options a little bit restricted. We were both occupied in the middle of the month. So we looked at the end of the month as a possible We-Day.

The last weekend was a strong choice. But there was yet another strong choice after that weekend. And so we decided to make our We-Day a gift to one important person in my life who celebrates her birthday on January 31. On that day, she would be 70 years old.

So it was January 31.

On the day, I kept telling myself, "This is it! This is it!" Convincing myself that the wait was over. It was time to let things be, to dwell in the moment, to breathe in the significance and magic of reality and exhale the illusions separating me from that reality.

I was unsteady, and yet her grip fixed me. She held my hand firmly to declare that we were into this together. That wiped off the beans of sweats rolling from my head, into my hand.

I was nervous, and yet her presence beside me was comforting. The reassuring look in her eyes, the constant smiles, those relieved me from the nerves that were uncontrollably killing me.

I knew she too was unsteady and nervous. Amidst those nerves, I tried to respond, grip by grip, look for look, smile upon smile; reassuring her that I would stand by you, here and now until tomorrow comes, grip by grip, look for look, smile upon smile.

"Yes, I do."

And so I got married, that day of January 31 in a leap year.

A big leap with her over omens, onto the promise of a wonderful life together.


(I would like to thank Liway and her crew for arranging things and making our wedding truly memorable and special. Contact the coolest crew here: http://carazuniga.multiply.com/notes).

Sheeps and lambs on my long slumber from singlehood ( Wedding day's eve countdown)

Tonight, I would like to see the night slipping away. I would watch the transition from night, dawn to day.

I would let my mind wonder, wander, and discover. I would let the mighty hand of time bring me to the dearest and fondest part of my life, and feel its moment with every tick; no closure, no end in sight. Just a man facing time and his future.

It's been a long time since I have this kind of moment. My senses are killing me. I see the darkness out there blurred by glowing lights from the ground. I feel the heaviness of parents' breathing due to the suffocating anxiety of the next day. I hear the silence of the night on the workers dotting the high-rise building construction from afar. I smell the drench of the waterways flowing underneath a dead stream. I touch the tinge under my soles from the cold floor to the lively perceptive soul inside. Outside, I plunge myself to the expanse of possibilities.

A lone airplane slicing the yawning distance between those left behind and those moving forward. I sit still, in a distant horizon.

I see a man, who has submitted himself to the trials of life. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. But he has words for me.

"If you are going to get married, look for a woman who understands you, not necessarily understanding you every time; who accepts you, but not entirely accepting you; who supports you and stands by you. Look for a woman whom you can communicate with the ordinariness of the day, and whom you can believe in."

Yes Tatay (father), I have met and found that woman. And tomorrow, I am going to get married with her.

And sleep comes uninvited and unwelcome, like the night after a long joyous day, surrendering to the certainty and inevitability of the next day.

Here comes the Groom: Man's inside thoughts on marriage

When a man in his 30s has a girl, thoughts on marriage are inevitable. And it does not help that friends and families bring the question in the open; when will you marry her? 

I am in 30s now. Ten years ago, a thought like this was unimaginable to cross my mind. Now, this unimaginable thought is able to penetrate my radar of thoughts. It becomes real. And it demands serious thinking. I will have to settle down and find a partner in life. After flying and roaming around, the idea of settling down becomes a reasonable option. In short, marriage is a looming and emerging reality thought for me.
 
What is marriage for a man in his 30s? It brings clarity to what he wants in life. It is companionship in the tumultuous journey of self-fulfillment and maturity. It is a rite of passage from a free-spirited man to a responsible husband. And more importantly, it is a decision to be with someone for the rest of his life.Yes, I am in 30s. By this time, I was told, that I should have known what I wanted to become and I should be on my way of becoming what I wanted. The distractions of being single do not help in clearing and simplifying what I wanted. Most of my friends are now married and few are planning to get married soon. In gatherings such as class reunions, family get-togethers, church and organization meetings, one common question I frequently encounter is, “Are you married?” It is a question that I could easily dismiss and answer, “No!” But now the thought of marriage is more real than the question asked and the answer given. 
 
Being in 30s carries a bundle of considerations before making the decision. One of which is my friends. If I get married, I will spend less time with them. I remember the time when my mother invited me to go with her to go shopping. I declined to go with her. My mother noticed that I was spending less time with her. Well, I did not notice that. I thought it was part of growing up. So probably, marriage too is part of growing up since i will be spending less time with my friends. Another consideration is my dream. I wanted to write a book. I believe that I have saved enough materials in my mind to begin writing it. The materials have even started to wake me in the middle of the nights and come to life to disturb my consciousness. I have doubts if a woman out there can share that dream with me and understand my passion for sharing my ideas and experiences through writing.   
    
The thought has so far brought me here and now. They say that I am not getting any younger anymore. I admit that the thought has made me thinking. I believe that the true measure of a man is to translate this thought into action and reality. Allow me to think about that.

Yes, I will marry her, soon.