MY HAPPY EVER AFTER
(August 30, 2006)
Today is my fifth wedding anniversary with my husband Villy Jay (or Honei or Nei as I fondly call him, and vice versa).
For all those who have not heard about our love story, I am writing it down and sharing with you how it al happened.
ONCE UPON A TIME…
October 2000. I had this huge crush on Luke Mejares. He was the then-vocalist of South Border, both our favorite Filipino RNB band. I’d regularly (and crazily) post messages on the band’s message board then. VJ (who’s in Washington and me in Manila) saw and read all my messages, got intruged, and replied on me. We became friends and emailed each other everyday.
We were both committed to our respective beaus then so it was purely friendship.
January 2, 2001. VJ and his girlfriend from the Philippines broke up.
THE E.B.
March 15, 2001. We met in person. Meaning he went to the Philippines for a vacation! At 7:00 AM that morning, we talked over the phone for ah hour. By 9:30 AM, we were at Wendy’s Foodchain in Nagtahan, Manila. My first words to him are: Hi. You must be VJ.
WE spent the whole day together. I first brought him to my parents’ house so they could meet him. We went to Robinson’s Mall in Ermita, Manila. Watched The Wedding Planner, had pizza for lunch, and stuff.
Fast forward to a few more months. He stayed in the Philippines for six months and we went out constantly.
THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
August 19, 2001. It was late Sunday afternoon. We were alone in my parents’ house. We prepared and had dinner together then rested on the couch listening to some slow music and I fell asleep with my legs on his lap. When I woke up, he held me close and said, “Before I come back to the US in September, I want to marry you.”
I DO.
August 30, 2001. We got married in civil (and secretly. Yes, there was such a thing in the Philippines) at the Manila City Hall. After the very short and informal ceremony, we headed to his relatives’ place (Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Province) as he was spending one last time with them as he was going back home.
By the way, my favorite part of the ceremony was the exchanging of the wedding bonds.
GOODBYE IS NOT FOREVER.
September 3, 2001. VJ, now my husband went back to the US. He called me up in my office that morning before he boarded his plane. I no longer cried because I know he is going to be a faithful and a loyal husband to me, and that we have a very hopeful future.
October 2002. He went to the Philippines to visit me. It was his 22nd birthday and we went to Philippines’ Summer Capital - Baguio for our honeymoon. We stayed at Pines Hotel for three days and two nights.
May 2003. He went to the Philippines again and this time, we went to Puerto Galera Beach in Mindoro Occidental Province for our second honeymoon.
June 2003. He filled a fiancee visa to petition me to go to the US to be with him.
January 2004. I was interviewed at the US Embassy in Manila but was not granted a visa as we are already married.
February 2004. He now filled a K3 Visa for me. It is a fiancee-spouse visa.
August 3, 2004. He came to the Philippines again for our third honeymoon. We went to Boracay Beach in Aklan Province. It’s one of my favorite vacation spots in the Philippines.
A few days after he left for the US, I received a packet from the US Immigration scheduling me for an interview for the k3 Visa at the US Embassy in Manila.
I’M POSITIVE.
September 7, 2004. My 27th Birthday. I found out I was pregnant. I went to an OB Gyne’s clinic for my first natal check up. I told it to VJ via phone and I could tell he was elated upon hearing that he is going to be a Dad.
October 1, 2004. I was interviewed again at the US Embassy in Manila and was then, granted a US Visa!
November 25, 2004. He came to the Philippines for the second time that year but with his mother this time.
THE CHURCH WEDDING.
December 3, 2004. We got married in the church. It was at UST Chapel, 3:00 PM, and was witnessed this time, with our family members and friends.
My most favorite part was walking down the aisle crying as I could not believe it was happening so fast for me. I was having mixed emotions but nonetheless, I was on cloud nine.
FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
December 5, 2004. I left the Philippines and migrated to the US. This was when we could literally say that we are spending the rest of our lives together.
Meeting Villy Jay and having him in my life has changed me in a lot of ways. I have had a number of challenging boyfriend-girlfriend relationships in the past but he made me realize that one might have go through all the wrong relationships just so he can be prepared when he meets the right one. He made me appreciate life more and be more loving to our parents and siblings. He made me happier with my life and be contented with all the graces that I have and will have. And he made me believe that true love really exists.
I know some people may have failed relationships. I am talking not just about the bf-gf relationships. Let us not forget our relationships with our parents, siblings, friends, and everybody else. VJ and I sure encountered and will still be meeting bumps along the way but I should say that we just have to BELIEVE IN LOVE. It really moves mountains. And it is the only, only thing that stands when all else has fallen.
And here’s our song. We may have a lot but this is the theme song. It’s old and classic.
All my life, without a doubt I give you
All my life, now and forever till the
Day I die, you and I will share
All the things this changing world can offer
So I sing, Id be happy just to
Stay this way, spend each day, with you
There was a time, that I just thought
That I would lose my mind
You came along and then the sun did shine
We started on our way
I do recall that every moment spent
Was wasted time but then I chose to lay it on the line
I put the past away
I put the past away
I put the past away
All my life, I will carry you through
All my life, between each hour of the passing days
I will stay with you
There was a time, that I just thought
That I would lose my mind
You came along and then the sun did shine
We started on our way
I do recall that every moment spent
Was wasted time then I chose to lay it on the line
I want this all my life
I want this all my life.
