Twenty-Five

When the tape rolled, the sound seemed like it was being recorded a long time ago. The setting was in the 1980s. Well, it is a tape, and it revolved around that time line.

Love songs filled the air, and it was put into documentation in such a way that it was like a story. There was this couple walking down the beach, hand in hand, looking at the sunset, and then the whole setting switched, and I saw a very pretty dress, with other little dresses with themes of red and white, and a black tailed tuxedo. There were other ornaments, like hand gloves, handkerchief, a pair of leather shoes and another dainty pair, a keepsake which looked like a pair of doves and on a bell, and lots and lots of laces. I remember seeing a very outstanding head-dress with flowers decorated on it. I saw a very pretty lady, in her mid-20s and a very handsome man with nice big eyes and a humble smile.

That was my mom and dad, 25 years ago, on their wedding day.

It was an elaborate wedding, because it was mummy's dream. Mummy had the most beautiful wedding dress with an elaborated veil and a princess-like wedding dress. Her gown was hand-designed by Mr. Ben Farrales, a renown designer who designs couture for local and international celebrities. Mom and dad had to fly to Manila for that. Daddy had no tummy at the time so he looked so stunning in his custom-made suit.

They had the most beautiful wedding cake, with staircases and some very intricate designs and expressions of creativity on it with even more laces on the four-tiered hand-made chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, but I reckon it was sufficient to feed the 3000 guests that arrived to share their joy on the day. The wedding lasted 3 days. When we go back to Phils, often people still remember that very extravagant day and they often talked about the amount of cows and pigs they had to butcher to accommodate that mass of people. It was the wedding of the century. =)

That was on the 18th of June, 25 years ago.25 years later, they are still standing, still very much in love, been through the roughs and riches, the thick and thin, and ARE still happy, with the addition 3 monsters to complete the ring of 5 people in the family.

Not every day was a sunny day, there were days where it rained, there were days where the sun shines through, and there were some rare nights of lightnings and thunderstorms. But they prevailed through all that and have such a cute life together. Why I say cute, well, you will have to be a part of this family to out about that. =)How does daddy and mummy commemorate this memorable day?

Daddy bought mummy a very pretty ring, diamond encrusted on white gold from Habib Jewels...I personally preferred the other design which was more...classy and sophisticated, but it was mummy's choice that mattered in the end. =)

Mummy bought daddy a new...bar counter. Well our old one got relished by white ants, and we had to dispose of it before it all came crashing down together with some fine wines, so mom bought daddy a new one so that he can put his collections on a humble pedestal to marvel his collections from his visits in some several neighbouring countries.

While sis and I bought them both...

A new TV. Last month. =)We gave our old one, which had served us faithfully for the past 15 years (and is still functioning except for the colour contrast) to Ah Ti, a close friend and replaced it with a new LED 40-inch TV by Aquos (Sharp) which was on a promotion. Now we have a big TV, the biggest screen so far, and it has a good sound surround system with nice contrast and diverse functions including all the additional features that I reckon we would use. Wanted to by the Sony one where you can sorta like log on FB coz there is this wireless feature in it but well, the sharpness was better on this one. =) So I'm happy, dad's happy, mom's happy, everyone's happy! =)

Seven days later (25th of June, 2011), it was Bro's, Uncle Kwong, and ColBy's birthday, so we made it and all-in-one celebration by going out to eat!!! =)

Sis and I bought cupcakes, 25 pieces altogether!Why why why???

Because its Mommy and Daddys 25th Year together..And Bro, Uncle Kwong and COlBy's birthday fell on the 25th too!!!

We improvised on the colour combination..

(Cupcakes are from Wondermilk, Periwinkle design.)

Aren't they pretty???

Celebrated in my favourite restaurant, D'Fortune. It's tradition. Nothing beats it for me.=)

Then the next day, we went to Teluk Gong to makan seafood. Opened some bottle of wines and fine liquor...which were 3 bottles of Reymos Champagne and the 18 years old Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky, which was very fine in texture and smooth... =) The years says it all. =) We had many dinners like this, but I have never seen daddy and mommy laughing away so much over dinner! It was happiness. =)

Uncle David toasted for Mom and Dad, for a beautiful 25 years together.. And then I wonder, will I ever have the chance to savour such happiness one day too? It seemed a bit far-fetched for me for now, but it doesn't matter. It really doesn't. Coz at some level, everyone that joined us on that table mattered to me, and these are the moments which any form of money in the world cannot buy, which is why it's so priceless... And I know that no matter what the future holds, I have these people supporting my back in whatever way they can, and the bond and closeness that we share, it's something not every family out there can have, which is why I grow more grateful each and every day.

I also realised that I am not a perfect person, and that happiness is something that is difficult to come by. Although there were some things that I was not able to sustain, I believe that I have learned significantly from the outcome of things and lessons learned are valuable. I also realised that life, it's actually very simple. SO often people search for things that give them temporary comfort and excitement that they forget, the people closest to them, and the ones that really take the time to care are what makes your life complete.

There is just so much more to look forward to the future, and the journey is just about to start.

So, "Sit tight, buckle up, Gearbox at D, and accelerate (with style)!!!"Well, have a wonderful weekend everyone. Cheers.

lotsa love.