About a year ago, I wrote about having a sanjit (proposal/engagement party in Chinese tradition) for Hubby's cousin, Tommy, in this post. Tommy's mom - Hubby's auntie - had been in wheelchair for about twenty years, due to a car accident that left her paralyzed for life. Over the years, several times she was taken to the emergency room and the family thought that we would have lost her, but turned out she was a strong trooper and survived. So it's so sad that in October, she finally passed away, as I wrote here.
In May this year, her son, Tommy, got married to her fiance, Inge. It was a Saturday, and we planned to attend both the Holy Matrimony at Church, as well as the reception in the evening. My parents just got back from a trip to Lourdes, France, and they were resting at home before leaving to my hometown, so they didn't come to the wedding.
The wedding was held at St. Theresia Catholic Church, which a church I used to go to mass to when I was living near downtown area, since it's located near the city center. So it was nostalgic for me to go there again. Unfortunately, Michael was rather ill that day, so he couldn't come. The initial plan is for him to come to the reception so Hubby's relatives from out of town would be able to see him for the first time since his babyhood, but oh, well, we've got to be flexible.
The wedding was beautiful, but I couldn't help thinking about Tommy's mother, Aunt Edith. Before the mass, I prayed at St. Mary's chapel, and asked Mother Mary to pray for the couple and for the late Aunt Edith. I guess Hubby felt the same way. "I wish Aunt Edith were here to witness her only son gets married, " he said solemnly.
After the matrimony and mass, we had a baloon releasing ceremony outside the Church. The mass didn't last as long as we expected, so after the bride and groom left, Hubby and I decided, since we are not often go out far from our neighborhood, and we are already in the city center, we should take advantage and have a lunch date at a famous old-time restaurant that happens to be located right in front of the Church, called Cafe Pisa.
We arrived back at home around noon, and my parents are supposed to leave for the airport at one o'clock. Hence, I said they could just cancel their taxi reservation and let me and Hubby give them a ride instead. We even still have time to take a little nap afterwards, before preparing for dinner reception.
I didn't take many pictures at the wedding reception, but I'd like to highlight that the wedding souvenir is one of my favorites. They are hand sanitizer with the holder in different color and scent, and I got the pink one with rose scent. It's not extravagant, but so practical and useful and pretty. I immediately take off the packaging and just hang it from my clutch.
There are many times where the wedding souvenir is some knick knacks or decorative items, and at the end, people just throw them away because they cannot make us of them, which is too bad. My other favorite souvenir is a package of envelope with pretty note cards in it. Simple, useful and consumable.
After the reception, Hubby asked if he could invite his cousins to hangout at the hotel restaurant where his out-of-town relatives (and the bride and groom) stayed. I said of course. I know Hubby loves to chat and spend time with his cousins. He's the eldest, so he becomes sort of big brother to them all. The groom, Tommy, even came down from his bridal suite and joined us for a bit, but he didn't stay long because he was tired, I guess. Both he and Inge has been up since dawn that day. And all afternoon, instead of napping, they were busy with traditional wedding ceremonies, photoshoot, videoshoot, touch ups, etc.
Congratulations, Tommy and Inge! May God's light and love shines upon you all the days you both shall live!
I'm linking up to these wonderful Ladies:
Monday
- Taming Rapunzel: Hair Style Monday
- DC in Style: Monday Bloom
- Not Dead Yet Style: Visible Monday
- Mom's The Word: Make Your Home Sing Monday
- Happy Wives Club: Marriage Mondays
- The Better Mom: The Better Mom Mondays
- What Joy Is Mine: Monday Musings
- Color Blind: Thrifer Anonymous
- The Modest Mom
- Create With Joy: Inspire Me Monday
- The Beauty in His Grip: Sharing His Beauty Mondays
- A Pinch Of Joy: Busy Monday
- Tell Me A Story
- Still Being Molly: YOLO Monday
- Very Busy Mama: Real Mom Style
- Momma In Flip Flops: Real Mom Style
- Thrifty Chic Mom: Real Mom Style
- I Am Priiincess: Monday Madness
- Basic Training – Corporate Style: Fashionably Employed Link Up
- Glamamom: Mode Monday
- Bon Bon Rose Girls: Monday Mingle
- Mom Trend: Monday Mingle
- More Pieces of Me: Manic Monday
- On the Daily Express: Manic Monday
- Whitney Nic James: Personal Style Monday
- Fizz And Frosting: Mix It Monday
- The Style Record: Monday Must Haves
- A Proverbs 31 Wife: Matrimonial Monday Linkup
- I Should Be Mopping The Floor: Inspiration Monday
- Splashin Glory: Momma Notes
- Missional Call: M M and M Monday Linkup
- Chronicles of Grace: Unforced Rhythms
- The Wellspring: Playdates with God
- Rich Faith Rising: Unite
- Finding Heaven: Soli Deo Gloria
- Growing Home: Growing Homemaker
- Teaching What Is God: Women Helping Women
- Join The Gossip: Monday Morning Gossip
- Life of Meg: Mingle Monday
- Little Miss Fashion Queen: Little Miss Monday
- Strangers & Pilgrims On Earth: The Art of Home Making Mondays
- A Delightsome Life: Return to Loveliness
- Bless Her Heart Y'All: Celebrate Southern Link Up
- Darling Downs Diaries: Good Morning Monday Mondays
- A Field of Wild Flowers: Small Wonder
- Style Nudge: Shoe & Tell
Tuesday
- Life’s a Party Dress Like it: Stylish Tuesday
- The Fashion Canvas: Trend Spin Linkup
- Corner Stone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
- Time Warp Wife: Titus 2 Tuesday
- Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
- Keeping Life Simple: The Gathering Spot
- Sugar Bee Crafts: Take A Look Tuesday
- Style Elixir: Style Sessions Fashion Link Up
- Growing Home Blog: Teach Me Tuesday
- Greater Than Rubies: Remix, Rewear, Restyle
- Walking In Memphis In High Heels: Trend Spin Link Up
- Myriad Musings: Style Swap Tuesdays
- Mama and More: All About You
- Elegantly Dressed And Stylish: Turning Heads Tuesday
Wednesday
- Transatlantic Blonde: What I Wore Wednesday
- Because Shanna Said So: Random Wednesday
- My Girlish Whims: My Whims Wednesday
- Juana Mikels: Wednesday's Prayer Girls
- Kimba Likes: Wardrobe Wednesday
- The Pleated Poppy: What I Wore Wednesday
- Messy Marriage: Wedded Wednesday
- Elizabeth & Co.: Be Inspired
- My Daily Walk In His Grace: Winsome Wednesday
- A Creative Princess
- Get Your Pretty On: I Feel Pretty
- A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
- Cute And Little: Color Brigade
- Redcliffe Style: 30 Plus Style and Beauty Linkup
- Adorned From Above
- Woman to Woman Ministries: Word Filled Wednesday
- Little R & R: Wednesday Link Party
- We Are That Family: Works For Me Wednesday
- Jennifer Dukes Lee: Tell His Story
- Fitness Blondie: The Hump Day Blog Hop
- Shopping My Closet: Style Me Wednesday
Thursday
- CLK Fashions: Fashion Boutique Favorites
- The Tiny Heart: Look What I Got
- Penniless Socialite: Look What I Got
- Rebecca Lately: Look What I Got
- Mix and Match Fashion: What I Wore to Work
- 3-D Lessons For Life: Thought Provoking Thursday
- Katherines Corner: Thursday Favorite Blog Hop
- A Glimpse Inside: Catch A Glimpse Party
- Serving Joyfully: Thriving Thursday
- Glitz And Gold: All Things Thursday
- Maybe I Will: Be.You.Tiful
- Chic California: Be.You.Tiful
- The Happy Gal: Be.You.Tiful
- Fry Sauce And Grits: Be.You.Tiful
- All Things With Purpose: All Things Thursday
- Children Are A Blessing: Growing In Grace Link Up
- Simply Just Lovely: Working Girl With Style
- Treasure Tromp: Treat Yo'Self Thursday
Friday
- Mummy's Got Style: Fashion Friday
- Penniless Socialite and Delusions of Grandeur: Favorite Fashion Friday Link Up
- Two Thirty Five Designs: Casual Friday Link Up
- Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading Link Up
- Simply Lulu Style: What I’m Loving Fridays
- Style Elixir: Friday’s Fab Favorites
- Musings of a Housewife: Fashion Friday
- Rags to Stitches: Coffee Date Friday
- Womanhood With Purpose: Friday's Link Up
- Missional Women: Faith Filled Friday
- Spiritual Sundays
- Essential Thing Devotions: Essential Fridays
- Rachel The Hat: Passion For Fashion
- Simple Sequins: Fashion Item Friday
- Chantilly Songs: The Totally Awesome Blog Hop
- Christian Mommy Blogger: Fellowship Friday
- The Jenny Evolution: Friday Flash Blog
- Soul Survival: Faithful Friday Linkup
- Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo: Anything Goes Linky Party
- Midwest Style Bloggers: Friday Favorites
- Lena B Actually: Passion For Fashion
- Blissful And Domestic: Feature Friday Link Up
- Sabby Style: Friday Frills
Saturday
- How Sweet The Sound: Pink Saturday
- Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday Linky Party
- Renewed Daily: Recommendation Saturday
- Fashionista Momma: Stylish Saturday
- Sincerely Paula: No Rules Weekend Blog Party
- Amanda's Books And More: Make My Saturday Sweet
- The Baby Shopaholic: Mamanista Friday
Sunday