1 + 1 = 1

these past few days were all about joy and celebration. today, i just came home from cdr's "non-surprise" birthday party at nancy's. and yesterday, our choirmate yyoni (we all call her 'red') got married to gary, who's also a member of our community. since i already talked about the bday party at my previous post, i'll recount what happened yesterday :)

the wedding ceremony was held at the st. francis chapel at fernwood gardens. hmm.. what can i say?!? coming to their wedding was such a memorable experience for me.

for one thing, the venue was really nice. i've always loved gardens - and fernwood certainly lived up to its name :) i adored the st. francis chapel. its huge glass panes let you appreciate the green trees and plants surrounding the church. the lush vegetation also serves as a wonderful backdrop to the orange motif they chose for their wedding :) oh.. and i also loved the sound of flowing water inside the chapel. the atmosphere was refreshing and intimate. very appropriate for red and gary's wedding :)

after we sang at the mass, we all proceeded to the reception (held at the garden located only a couple of meters from the chapel). the food was *great!* all of them! everything tasted sooooo good! from the roast beef (w/ herb-tomato sauce), porkloin and baked (?) fish.. to the simple white pasta.. to the salads and fruits. but what we *really* loved was the chocolate fountain!! haha.. we had a blast dipping the different fruits (strawberries, bananas, melons, etc), biscuits, wafers and yes.. *mallows* into the chocolate. yumyumyumyum!!! hahaha.. i can't remember being more stuffed than i was last night after eating hahaha :p i expect i've gained another couple of pounds after dinner.. *groan*

going to red & gary's wedding was a real treat for me. but it wasn't just the venue and the food that made it memorable. i guess this wedding was meaningful for me because it's the first one i've attended since our breakup. at first, i thought i'd feel bitter or sad.. but i'm glad i proved myself wrong about that :)

as i listened to fr. mar describe marriage as a *covenant* (as opposed to a contract).. and as i looked at the couple at the altar.. i honestly felt happy and hopeful for them. happy because in this world where most people view commitment, faithfulness and love with cynicism, it's heartwarming to know that there still are those who are willing to 'take the plunge' so to speak. and hopeful because i truly wish them all the best in life :) not just because they are friends.. but also because a lasting marriage serves as a shining example to all those who hope for the same in life.

i don't know if i will ever walk down the aisle. hahahaha. at this point, at least i can honestly say i'm not ready for that. [lack of a 'prince charming' isn't the only reason, hehe.. but that's another blog entry altogether ;-)] someday, *maybe*.. but i'm not rushing. for now, i'm just really grateful that i can be happy for all my friends who are getting hitched. i feel privileged to share in their joys.. and to pray with them for a marriage filled with God's blessings.

birthdays and weddings. ahhhh. they may not be mine.. but i really am glad that God sends me friends.. so that *through them* i may celebrate these special days.. and truly smile :)