One lucky day

Four days ago, I was telling JM that I haven't seen him since September 8, 2012 to which he had replied, in the typical JM way: "Well, Geebee, Sunday is your lucky day."

Was it?

Remember that line from an old popular softdrinks TV ad? "Bridesmaid ka lang!" That line was what echoed in my head this afternoon. True, I was a bridesmaid in this wedding. Only a bridesmaid, not the maid of honor, but I was faced with the prospect of being the only female in the bridal entourage who will have to walk down the aisle alone. My partner groomsman was nowhere to be found.

No, JM, this Sunday wasn't turning out to be my lucky day. Instead, it was becoming more like a disheartening foreshadowing of my future - alone. Right there and then, I wanted to cry for all the aisles and paths and roads that I will ever walk on by myself. If not for the mascara that I didn't want dripping down my cheeks, I really would have cried.

Thankfully, logic eventually prevailed. I realized: This wasn't my moment; this was Apaule's moment. If I should be crying because of anything, it should only be because I was overwhelmed with happiness for her and Gerald. Yes, there will be many aisles and paths and roads that I will walk on alone but if I can't make it past this church aisle, how will I expect to survive those on my own? Kaya ko 'to!

And just when I was mulling this over, the cute little Bible bearer walked over to my side, whispered, "You look pretty", and took my hand. Who can resist such a sincere offer? I didn't have to walk on alone after all.

The cutest escort

I still did cry today, though. As expected. 

A bride's first love forever

I cried when I saw the father of the bride struggle to walk his daughter down the aisle. It must have been a bout with stroke that caused his difficulty with walking - I really didn't know. That touching father-daughter moment caught me by surprise. Before I realized it, I was already in tears. 

I guess what I saw was my mother, who can no longer walk without assistance, in that same situation on my own wedding day. I know she wouldn't miss it for the world. Arm and arm with my father, the three of us would walk side by side to the altar. Or at least, that's how I wish it to be like. Then again, only God knows if that will actually happen. 

ILHB

Heartwarming and true and beautiful. There was certainly no other way to describe Gerald and Apaule's wedding. For their family and closest friends who have witnessed their love story through the years, they know - and I know - Gerald's and Apaule's radiant smiles were the smiles of two genuinely happy people.

Cynics may say weddings are only for show. Well, yes, these two people were out to show the world how happy they were to stand before the only third party in their love affair - God. Eyes wet with tears, Gerald and Apaule promised a lifetime of love for each other. In this age of "LOL", "HHWW", "TFTFZ" and "YOLO", theirs is "ILHB". Ikaw lamang habang buhay. Hearing that, I think everyone in the church breathed out a collective "Awwww..."

#AlwaysATeamOfThree

Unrequited love may have hurt me once, twice, in the past but #GADestinationForever - and all love stories like this - will always make me believe that one lucky day, when the stars align, my own love story will begin.

Fair game

My luck in the bachelorettes' game finally ran out when Ate Rose managed to snatch the darn eggplant before I did. Boy, she sure was fast! All the other single ladies in that game were fast. Oh, they were not just fast. They were tough, too. The way they accidentally stepped on toes and hit each other's faces, you'd think it was gold they were vying for. Hilarious! 

And I mean no offense to the gentleman holding the eggplant. I know for a fact that he is a golden catch. (Naks. I do expect to be paid handsomely for doing PR for this guy. LOL.)

Ladies, what's the fuss about? :P

Well, as they say, all is fair in love and war and eggplants. So because I lost in the game, I had to be a good sport and join this bridal garter wedding tradition. You know the deal.

No, JM, Sunday wasn't my lucky day. But you know what? I think it was yours. Hahaha.

P.S. Apparently, on his way to the church, the aforementioned groomsman got apprehended by a traffic cop for making a wrong U-turn. He had apologized profusely for being MIA and had made amends by choreographing our "grand" entrance at the wedding reception. All's well that ends well. :)

Best wishes, Engr. & Mrs. Gerald and Apaule Yurag!