Golden Anniversary

My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this December. It always gives me great pleasure to announce that to people. It provides me with the assurance that indeed it is possible for relationships to last a long time.

My mother would relate to me how they got married 50 years ago, on December 7, 1958. They were actually married in civil rites 7 months before, in May. The December 7 is their church wedding.

It was a very simple ceremony. They had a handful of people, only immediate family. They were married at 4 in the morning in the church in Libon, Albay. There was no photographer around, no cameras to take the picture of my mom in her short satin white wedding frock. My father was not very good on public display. So, since their wedding reception was taking place in my father's oldest brother's house in Sta. Justina, Buhi -- about an hour and a half drive away (maybe even more during that time) --he asked his bride to change into a casual attire so they won't atttract unnecessary attention.

My mom's wedding picture is a picture of her and my father in their casual clothes. Every time she shows it to people, she has to indicate that this was taken during the day of her wedding.

My parents married life is a testimony to the simplicity of their wedding ceremony. Every time my mom teases my dad about not even having a wedding ring, my dad would say that she has a roof over her head, a hearty meal in her stomach, an altar where she can say her prayers and children who brings her joy. Surely, that is incomparable to any wedding ring.

Well, my two brothers and I are of agreement that although my father shies away from spectacle, we are going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with more funfare than they did 50 years ago. Who knows, we might even manage a set of wedding rings. But certainly, there will be a photographer to take pictures of my mom in a wedding ensemble. We will make sure that a union that lasted 50 years, and still going strong, has pictures to show for it.