Day 3: The Heart of Mariel

3/30: That Cute Heart. A day before the wedding, I received this YM message: "Amiga, san ko dadalhin ang puso mo?" Hours later, I found this heart in the condo and I was in awe! It was soooo fab and cute! Lando and I chorused in exclaiming, "Ang ganda!!!" Our wedding was full of DIYs but this one is extra special. In case you were wondering, this was created by a mother-daughter tandem. :)

To my talented dear friend Mariel, thank you! I don't know where this heart ended up after the wedding but photos of it scattered all over facebook would be enough to remind me of your handprints on our special day. Thank you for doing this heart with the shortest lead time, for the friendship and for the songs of Chloe! She wasn't able to sing all the songs she practiced since April (tama ba?), but thank you! Godbless you both! I hope I can return the favor one way or another.  :) *Hugs.

Day 2: One Stormy Day in Ilocos

2/30: Prenup in Ilocos. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I must have seen thousands of prenup photos from various photography sites and have sighed, wowed, and dreamed that someday, I'd have my own.

Then came our very own prenup, which to us, was another addition to our growing list of blessings as a couple. By God's grace, we were able to organize a one-day session in Ilocos Norte despite our tight schedule and the crazy June weather. We tagged our photographers and one make-up artist along with us by bus. Take note, it was storming that day of June 20. Thankfully, the wind calmed down and the storm rested its case by mid afternoon allowing us to roam around Pagudpud and Bangui. Here's a preview of our Travel and Photography Prenup in Ilocos Norte: (full album is here in FB.)

When it was all wrapped up, Lando and I were just humbled that God answered our prayer once more. He sent us talented and kind people who did not only work with us, but prayed and laughed with us. The rain stopped and we got to be the stars of a photoshoot, even for once. More than that, we have awesome photos to hang on our wall and great memories to take with us and to share to our future kids someday.

Awesome God, thank You. :)

Day 1: Thank you for your shower

1/30: Bridal Shower. Friends, the bridal shower you held for me cheered me up big time!!! The laughter we had relaxed my tired body and spirit. It took my mind away from the trials I was going through. We all wanted a wedding where we have all our loved ones, right? Unfortunately for me, it couldn't came true and it had really worn me out during the preps stage. Sobra ang pinayat at pinanget ko diba? LOL! 

Kaya sobrang thank you for making me so happy and for shooing away my biggest worries before the big day! The least I can do is to write this post thanking all of you! Biggest and warmest thank you to:

Yna -  for organizing, preparing and hosting the games, for comforting my worries! I still remember your words, "Hindi mo na mapapansin yang gown mo sa wedding mo!"

Tin - for organizing, getting the place, contacting people, offering help, for the gift! Sobrang nanghihinayang ako that I wasn't able to assign you one pero Tin, sobra sobrang thank you!

Joanne - for coming home, I know how hectic your schedule is in SG. Your story touched me. :)

Hannah - for joining your Ates! :)

Irene - for tagging along with Tin and for your cute shower gift.

Rochele - for coming along fresh from your trip and for the shower gift as well!

Helenne - for taking care of the prizes and for the purple gift.

Jover - for taking these awesome photos.

Silver - for coming and as always for your sense of humor!

Another thank you goes to my college friends (Luan, Tessa, Jean, Meg and Shirl). We didn't have a photo that night but I had a photo of the cute balloons you gave me. Thank you for dropping by and checking on me. It was a sweet surprise indeed! And the thing you bought me from LS, I so much love it! :) 

***

Thank you for showering me with your gift of friendship most of all. I'm so blessed to know each one of you. It is my desire to witness your special day as well, someday soon. I'm excited to know who's next to receive the shower. So till then! Shower Album is here in FB. :)

30 Days: I've waited for this!

And now the time has come for me to do this challenge! :) Just like hers, I'll make this extra sweeter by posting our wedding photos and anything that is wedding/love-related. I'll also use this chance to thank the people who made our day more special by lending a hand/time/talent before, during and after the wedding.

As I said earlier, our wedding didn't exactly turn out the way we wanted and planned, but one thing it taught me was to be grateful for whatever God serves us on our plate. It takes 30 days to create a habit, they say. By doing this challenge, hopefully I'll cultivate a more grateful heart and a more productive use of energy (I'm currently out of job, FYI).

So here goes the list (order of write up may change, depending on my mood.) :)

DAY 1: Bridal Shower - Thank you for you Shower

DAY 2: Prenup - One Stormy Day in Ilocos

DAY 3: That Cute Heart - The Heart of Mariel

DAY 4: Another Wedding - So Much Love Out There
DAY 5: Bridal Gown - That One White Dress

DAY 6: DIYs - Our DIY-filled Wedding

DAY 7: Wedding Theme -  Photography and Travel
DAY 8: Travel List - Top 12 Places We Wish to Visit

DAY 9:  New Home - My New Home

DAY 10: Instagram - Instagram Lovin'

DAY 11: Make Up -  The Magic of Make Up 

DAY 12: DIY Love Story Timeline - 20 Months and Counting

DAY 13: Autumn - Hellloooo Autumn!

DAY 14:  That Part of the Wedding Vow - Look who's Cooking? 

DAY 15:  Taking Photos Together - Sunset Spotting 

DAY 16: A Tale of a Full Time Housewife - Just an Ordinary Day

DAY 17: Family - Family Portraits, Part 1 

DAY 18: Family - Family Portraits, Part 2

DAY 19: Autumn Again - In Awe of Autumn, In Awe of You

DAY 20: The Rings - No Return, No Exchange
DAY 21: First Winter Together - Hellooo Novembrrr, Hellooo Winterrr

DAY 22: Birthday - Happy Birthday Hubby
DAY 23: Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving List

DAY 24: Wedding Ceremony - A Walk to Remember

DAY 25: Wedding Ceremony - The Vows and The Rain

DAY 26: First Christmas Away from Home - December Dear
DAY 27: The Bachelors and The Bachelorettes - Hugs and Kisses of Billy

DAY 28: Friends - CMG Friends

DAY 29: Things I Learned from Marriage Counselling

DAY 30: And It's a Wrap

Just M.A.R.R.I.E.D.

It's about time I write about my current status and let me say that in all caps: JUST MARRIED. :) I'm giddy over the two diamond rings on my left hand and can't help it, I am really married! It's past 13 days after the wedding and you'll still find me swooning over the countless photos from guests and photographers.

Sure, our wedding was not perfect. But we knew it happened the way God wanted it to happen. It was, in my and my hubby's definition, a beautiful, chaotic mess---the sound of the rain, the purple and pink colors here and there, the colorful people scattered all over Splendido, the clicking of the cameras, the shouts of best wishes and congratulations--these and more made our wedding day special!

Despite all the hardships and trials we endured during the preps (oh you have no idea), I will say it now: Ang sarap nga pala talagang ikasal and it was all worth it!  Our biggest joy was definitely the people from all over the world who took time and shed resources to grace our special day. We had guests from Hong Kong, Singapore, Bermuda, US, Australia, Indonesia and Ireland! We had friends and relatives who traveled to Tagaytay despite the foreboding rain! If richness can be measured in terms of friends, then we are truly rich and blessed!

When the rain poured on us, I just looked at Lando and told him, "I-enjoy lang natin, minsan lang to, love pa rin tayo ni Lord!" And we did! We smiled unceasingly and we just let everything flow. At the end of the day, God's message of salvation and love was proclaimed (hopefully), and we were pronounced and blessed as husband and wife!

Cheers to this new phase of my life,
Laidel May Pilapil Ebuna :)

P.S.
Photos and 30-day wedding blog coming soon! :) | Photo credits to Flickerhappy (except #3 and 5), all photos edited by yours truly :)

Quick Wedding Reminders :)

*17 days. There are still a thousand things to do and a thousand details to iron out. I've been receiving queries from guests and I just thought of posting one quick reminder/guidance. Please bear with us, formal/printed invitations are still being rushed (due to last minute changes). 

Reminder to self: Keep calm, pray and delegate to the groom and friends. Been receiving offers of help and I am deeply touched. Here we go: :)

WEDSITE:  http://rolandolaidel.com/

(the site has the map, out-of-town guests guide, dress code, gift guide (ehem) and more)

DRESS CODE:

WEDDING BEHAVIOUR GUIDE:

♥♥♥

There is no better gift than your presence and prayers, 

but if you intend to send us gifts, 

please know that we will set up residence abroad.

The Proposal (Groom's Version)

She was here in Dublin, and one of these days, I would pop the question. I’ve been telling her for so many times that without a doubt, she’s the girl that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I let the week pass so she could feel more at ease with my current world. I knew she was struggling with the cold weather here.

Everything had already been taken care of. I had bought the ring. I had asked her to go to Ireland. I secured her parents' blessing before she went here. Thankfully they gave their yes but with so much precautions, which I understood completely. Lai was the only girl and they demanded me to take care of her. My parents also approved of my plan to marry Lai. I had talked to some of our friends about it. I asked all of them who knew to keep everything in secret.

The ring was the biggest challenge of all. I had to get her ring finger size twice. First, in February 2011 when Lai visited me in Singapore. I commissioned our friends Joanne and Tina to get Laidel to try one of the rings and buy the one that fit her. It was a clever plan that almost worked except that the ring had a moveable band that got deformed when I brought it to Ireland. So I had to ask another friend of hers, Luan, to fish for Lai's ring finger size, yet again in April 2011.

Now the only thing left was for me to ask the question.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011, Wednesday - It was a very normal Irish day, all-seasons in one day. I was particularly happy and jumpy today, a bit tense about the thing I was about to do. I went home early and found Lai searching the web for our next weekend tour. I had an idea before that we shoot photos of ourselves so I dragged her on doing it.

Then we were read Day 33 of 40 Days of Love devotional (the book is entitled Relationship Principles of Jesus). We've been doing our devotional for more than 2 months in Skype. The topic for that day was how humility handles our relationship with God. Jesus said, "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

Getting married is a life changing decision. It is a commitment and it requires trusting God more than anything else. We had been praying and asking God's will for our relationship and our future plans. We had entrusted our future together with God and I guessed, what was left now was to trust. Trust the author of our love. Trust the holder of our future. Trust in God. 

At the end of the day's topic, I just knew this was the perfect timing, I knew what was my heart's desire and I have faith He would take care of Lai and I. I held her hands... took my time... and finally asked her... "Lai... will you marry me?" After three repeats, I heard her YES!!! 

The Proposal (Bride's Version)

In August 28, 2011, I went to Ireland with my red suitcase and my heart on my sleeve. When Lando asked me to visit him, I had a feeling he would propose. He had told me in various ways that he wanted to marry me someday. I gave him a hint that I wanted a simple proposal. The fact that he arranged for this trip was already grand enough, I couldn't wish for more! I just wanted him to simply ask. My heart was very much ready for the answer.

***

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011, Wednesday - Today, I bravely stepped out of the veranda and noticed some leaves in lovely hues of yellow and red. I smelled autumn! No doubt, Ireland was beautiful and a walk in the park might be great, but the cold weather was too much for me sometimes. For today, staying home while the rest of Dubliners worked was the better option.

To my surprise, Lando came home earlier than usual and so much earlier than his colleagues. I could sense the joy and excitement in his voice as he set up the tripod and dragged me into taking our portraits (the picture up there was from our photo session). But I had no great expectations for today. I'd been here 11 days and hadn't heard a single thing about the ring or the proposal. I thought perhaps, he was just in a jumpy-happy mode today.

After which, we continued our devotional on 40 Days of Love. We prayed and discussed each other's reflection on how trusting God could better our relationships. We talked about some of our hopes, as we always did. At the end of each day's topic were verses to remember and questions to consider. He read the verse to remember and then suddenly fell silent, so therefore I asked, "Ano ung question to consider mahal?"  In silence, he took my hands and held them gently. He looked at me with such tenderness that my heart started beating fast. He smiled and softly, he said, "So Lai... (pause).. the question to consider is... (another pause as he held my hands tighter)... Will you marry me?"

I could only smile and giggle, lost in the rush of emotions. I read somewhere that when this moment finally happens in your life, your heart beats wildly, and you want to laugh and cry at the same time.  You see, this wasn't the first time he asked me that question. This time though we were not in Skype. We were in the same time zone and I could actually feel his hand holding mine.

"Lai, will you marry me?" He asked more audibly for the second time... and the third time before the reality of the moment began sinking in."Yes, of course! I will marry you!" We hugged, probably the longest hug in Ireland that day. He slipped on a simple diamond ring on my finger and again, we hugged. I could hear him saying, "Lai, mahal na mahal kita" while hugging me. I could only whisper my thanks to Someone up there for orchestrating this wonderful moment.  It was a simple engagement, but He unfolded it so lovingly for us.

Thank you dear God, for September 7, 2011... and most of all, thank you for my fiancé. :)

Rolando+Laidel (A Love Story Invite)

*35 more days! Here's our love story in typography (*made by yours truly) :) This may not capture all of God's goodness in between thousand miles, time differences and airport goodbyes that we have gone through. But God has been truly awesome in writing our story---He has shown us that when LOVE is true, nothing is too difficult and no distance is too far. :) Wedsite coming up tonight. :)

50 Days - A Countdown Reflection

***

So we're down to 50 DAYS. Can't believe we've come this close. We both had a busy working week that we almost lost track of the days... I'm down to my last four weeks at work and a number of reports have to be delivered before I give my final vow and head on to prepare for the path I chose to take, WITH SO MUCH FAITH IN MY HEART. :)

We've faced countless trials to get to this point. Groom says that we can manage this phase (and all the trials that goes with it) as long as we have each other, praying together despite the distance. We are in this together, he always says.  I'm grateful I have someone who models loving others and being kind to others,  Lando is so much better in this department than I do, truth be told.

Through it all, we know that God wants us to be more loving, not only to each other, but more importantly at this point, to others. God wants us to show kindness and to not harbor any resentment despite the hurt inflicted on us. Kahit gusto sana namin sa mga panahon na ito, kami sana muna ang bida, kami ang iintindihin, kami ang aalalayan, kami ang pagbibigyan. 

We've already let go of so many things and have endured too many inconveniences. We know that God doesn't want us to retaliate. I've been wrestling with God over this matter but I know, it doesn't work that way in His Kingdom. In my heart I can hear God saying, "Sige lang, sige pa.. I have a reason why all of these are happening and I'm in control... so trust me... and carry on..." So we surrender... we are letting go... and we continue our walk with Him. 

In so many ways, we acknowledge that God is also cleaning up our hearts and sorting out our motives. I'm reminded today that our wedding will not be about us after all, it's going to be God's time to shine. We hope and pray that our wedding will be a testimony of God's goodness in our lives despite our weaknesses and imperfections.

Dear God,
I'm praying that you will just make our hearts right. We can't make it without You and we need Your grace to enable us to act with love towards others just as You love us. Forgive us for our shortcomings. We offer our wedding day to you and we lift up all our needs from this day forward.
Lai